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Union members organize in metro suburbs From the Minneapolis Labor Review, April 19, 2007 By Steve Share, Labor Review editor Union members are becoming more visible in the public arena in Twin Cities suburbs, the result of local labor councils organized by the Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council (CLUC). The CLUC’s North Suburban Advisory Council, focused on Anoka County, organized in 2004. Next, the Wright County Labor Council organized in 2006. And, April 3, union members who live or work in Scott and Carver Counties convened for the first meeting of the CLUC’s South Suburban Advisory Council. The pioneering Anoka effort established a successful suburban organizing model: identify union members who live or work in the area, recruit from a broad base of unions to establish an advisory council, then select issues and campaigns where local union members can make an impact. The effort begins with research to discover where union members now live and in what numbers. Then organizers begin meeting one-on-one with union members who live or work in the targeted community, seeking to form a broadly-based advisory council. The newly-forming South Suburban Advisory Council, for example, includes union members from nearly one dozen different unions, including building trades workers, public employees, and service employees. “They’re excited about being able to bring Labor’s issues forward in their own community,” said Gayle Walter, CLUC political organizer. In 2004 and in 2006, the Anoka County effort engaged union members in state legislative races and helped elect new labor-friendly members of the Minnesota House of Representatives. In 2006, the just-formed Wright County Labor Council helped elect a labor-endorsed candidate to the St. Michael-Albertville School Board. For union members, the CLUC’s suburban advisory councils offer a way to help shape the future of their local community. Greg Renne, 20-year Shakopee resident and nine-year member of Glaziers Local 1324, explained why he’s getting involved in the new South Suburban Advisory Council: “I wanted to get more involved with our local politics, getting more labor-friendly people elected to benefit all union labor in Scott and Carver Counties.” Here’s what’s ahead in 2007 for the CLUC’s suburban organizing in Anoka and Wright Counties: Anoka County School issues will be a priority in Anoka County in 2007, where the Anoka Hennepin school district enrolls more students than any other school district in the state. Three seats on the school board will be on the November 2007 ballot. The incumbents are Dan Cook, Tom Heidemann and Scott Wenzel. Voters also will consider the renewal of a 2002 school levy. Without funds from a renewed levy, supporters say, the district would face $25 million in cuts, resulting in fewer teachers and increased class sizes. In May, a school parent group backing the levy will make a presentation to the CLUC’s North Suburban Advisory Council, seeking support. Also in May, individual unions will begin screening Anoka Hennepin school board candidates. Labor involvement in the school board races and school levy will include Anoka Hennepin Education Minnesota (the teachers union) along with SEIU Local 284 (representing school employees), AFSCME, the Building Trades and Teamsters Local 120, reports Andrea Ledger, CLUC political director. Ledger said the North Suburban Advisory Council also will be working to support Labor-endorsed Minnesota House members Jim Abeler and Kathy Tingelstad. Abeler and Tingelstad were among five House Republicans who voted for the transportation bill this session. Union members will be calling to thank Abeler and Tingelstad for their vote and to encourage them to support transportation funding solutions, Ledger said. Wright County The Wright County Labor Council continues to work on building visibility, reported CLUC political organizer Jason George. Co-chairs Pat Jansen (Laborers Local 363) and Laurie Stammer (SEIU Local 284) have authored letters to the editor appearing in several local newspapers. The letters took Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann to task for her vote opposing the Employee Free Choice Act. In addition, George and council member Francisco Altamirano (Painters District Council 82) appeared on a talk radio program on KRWC 1360 AM in Buffalo to discuss labor issues. This July, the Wright County Labor Council plans to return with a booth for a second year at the Wright County Fair. In addition, the Wright County Labor Council is exploring involvement in a school board race in Buffalo and potential school levy campaigns in Buffalo and Monticello. Employee Free Choice Act All of the CLUC suburban advisory councils will be participating in the campaign to pass the Employee Free Choice Act, Ledger said. Union members have been writing letters to the editor to their local community newspapers. They’re also helping to generate phone calls and postcards to U.S. Senator Norm Coleman. For more information about getting involved in suburban labor efforts, contact the Central Labor Union Council political staff: • Anoka County: •Wright County: • Scott and Carver Counties:
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