A simple definition of labor found in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is “the services performed by workers for wages”. However, in practice labor is anything but simple. Issues in labor relations and rights are inherently intersectional. Whether it be with civil rights as seen through the work of Minnesotan Nellie Stone Johnson, with issues surrounding migrant workers from the Southern U.S. and from Central America, with feminism and women’s rights as seen in stories such as those of Eva McDonald there is no questioning that the issues surrounding labor in Minnesota flux in tandem with many other issues of identity, class, and ideology.
September 25, 2000 - Tom Neuville, Republican State Senator; and Ann DeGroot, director of Out Front Minnesota discuss Governor Ventura's decision to look into providing benefits to the partners of gay and lesbian state employees.
November 6, 2000 - MPR’s Tim Post reports on the 1,600 Frigidaire who workers have been on strike for about a week, claiming a recent contract proposal from the company includes a pay raise that doesn't keep pace with insurance premium increases. Strikes of this size are rare in central Minnesota where organized labor has never had a strong presence, but some say unions are on the upswing in this part of the state.
September 5, 2001 - Former Minnesota governor Al Quie reflects on the 1981 Minnesota government worker’s strike, which lasted for 22 days. During that time the Minnesota Zoo was closed and state services like drivers licenses were processed by administrators. Quie gives advice for current governor Jesse Ventura.
September 26, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley reports on the looming government workers strike. State agency officials say they have contingency plans in place to compensate for the void a strike could leave.
October 1, 2001 - The state employee strike is already having an impact. Several agencies, like the Health Department and the Department of Agriculture, are scaling back their inspection services. Some Minnesotans are finding it especially difficult to receive vehicle licensing services. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports:
October 1, 2001 - Minnesota Public Radio's Patty Marsicano reports on the thousands of state employees who went on strike after rejecting the state's latest contract offer. A last-minute mediation session produced no agreement between the state's two largest unions and state administration.
October 5, 2001 - At the end of the first week of Minnesota's largest state employee strike, no new talks are scheduled and neither side shows any sign of movement. State officials say state government is weathering the loss of about 23,000 workers, and Governor Ventura says the striking workers should accept the state's offer and come back to work. Ventura says will talk to the strikers, but he will not do it when the media is around.
October 9, 2001 - MPR's Michael Khoo reports that state officials and leaders of the two largest public employee unions are set to resume contract talks, but Governor Jesse Ventura says he doesn't see any way to satisfy the demands of striking workers short of cutting government payrolls. Union leaders, however, say if more money isn't available, there's little chance for movement when talks resume.
March 8, 2004 - Workers continue to walk picket lines and no talks are in sight as the Twin Cities Metro Transit bus strike enters its first full work week. Many commuters are settling into alternate travel routines with no promise buses will return to their routes any time soon. While many commuters simply drive their own cars to work, Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes found others who are taking the high road.
February 9, 2005 - Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports that teachers in the Crosby-Ironton school district are on strike as of February 9th, 2005. They worked without a contract for 20 months and for the past year, teachers have negotiated with the district. The sticking points are salaries and health benefits for retired teachers.