News

Over two days, more than 100 enthusiastic AFSCME Council 5 Presidents and local leaders gathered together for our highly anticipated A

February 3, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Max Hall

[email protected] 

(c): 612-247-3725

AFSCME Council 5 Lauds New Juneteenth State Holiday

Today, Governor Tim Walz signed legislation into law ensuring that Juneteenth is a state holiday in Minnesota.

Our union wishes you a joyous, safe, and memorable Labor Day weekend! This is your holiday; Together, we will celebrate the fruits of our labor and the work you do that truly Makes Minnesota Happen and all of our communities!

Created in 1894, Labor Day is a federal holiday that is dedicated to working people who keep our communities functioning properly, contributing to our economy, and ensuring our democracy is strong.

15 years ago today, tragedy struck our state and sent shockwaves throughout our country. On August 1, 2007, the I-35W bridge collapsed, killing 13 people and injuring 145 others.

AFSCME Council 5 members have been on the frontlines in our workplaces during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, risking infection of not only themselves, but of their loved ones. But they did what AFSCME members do best -We do our jobs with excellence on behalf of all Minnesotans. We were also on the frontlines in the halls of power, delivering upon one of our major legislative agenda items to provide Frontline Worker Pay to as many of our heroes as possible.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 30, 2022

We Must Respect and Honor Frontline Worker Heroes; More is Necessary

South St. Paul, MN - AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director Julie Bleyhl released the following statement after the Legislature passed Unemployment Insurance and Frontline Worker Pay legislative package:

Today is Workers’ Memorial Day, a day in which we remember, mourn, and fight for workers who were killed, disabled, and/or otherwise injured on the job. For many years, our union has continued to serve as a beacon of activism for safe staffing in every workplace. I am constantly reminded of the critical work we all do as a union that fights for the basic rights of working people to be safe on the job and to go home safely to our loved ones.