November 12, 2001 - Members of Minnesota's two largest state employee unions are voting on a contract deal reached last month. The state and the unions reached the tentative deal after union members had been on strike for two weeks. Many workers are upset about the proposed package of wages and benefits, and say they'll vote against it. The leader of one union says the vote is too close to call, while the head of the other is predicting members will ratify the contract. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
October 10, 2001 - Hundreds of striking state employees rallied at the state Capitol this morning (WEDNESDAY), one day before contract talks resume between the state and its two largest employee unions. Neither side is publicly showing any sign of movement - striking workers say they'll walk the picket line as long as it takes to get a better contract, while Governor Ventura says the state is standing by its final offer. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
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 4, 2001 - State officials say Minnesota is prepared for the threat of terrorism, despite having as many as half of its workers on strike. They say the state has been preparing for the possibility of a terrorist attack for years, and those plans aren't compromised by Minnesota's largest state employee strike. Members of AFSCME and MAPE were originally set to strike the week after the September 11 attacks, but delayed the strike for two weeks. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
October 3, 2001 - Contract talks between the government and the two largest unions (AFSCME and MAPE) broke down over both wages and health insurance, but for many employees, they are focused on benefits.
October 2, 2001 - Strike is taking place outside of the Department of Revenue building. 80-90% of union members are picketing. They are prepared for a month-long strike.
October 1, 2001 - A strike of janitors, food inspectors, accountants, and highway workers began striking today. Minnesota Association of Professional Employees and American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (Council 6) are fighting for their rights.
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