News

Juneteenth and Our Path Ahead

Today, we gather to celebrate Juneteenth, a day that holds profound significance in the history of our nation.

Labor Day is Your Day of Celebration!

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.

Renewing Our Call for Safe, Accessible Infrastructure

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.

Legislature Passes Frontline Worker Pay; More is Necessary

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:

Honoring our Fallen and Injured Workers

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.

MN House Ratifies State Employee Contracts; Senate Must Ratify

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Max Hall
(612) 247-3725

[email protected]

AFSCME Council 5 Commends MN House Ratification of State Employee Contracts, Urges Senate to Ratify

AFSCME Council 5 Hosts Gubernatorial Forum; Endorses Governor Tim Walz

AFSCME Council 5 Hosts Gubernatorial Forum

On the evening of March 3, 2022 AFSCME Council 5 hosted a gubernatorial forum for members to ask questions of candidates running to be Governor of Minnesota.

The central themes of our gubernatorial forum were: Member access and engagement, transparency, and open participation with AFSCME members and retirees. Our forum was by AFSCME members, for AFSCME members.

Frontline Worker Pay Legislation Passes MN House; Call on Senate to Stop Stalling

Last night the Minnesota House passed a significant legislative package to provide $1,500 checks to 667,000 frontline workers on a vote of 71-61 with all DFL’ers supporting the bill and Republican lawmakers opposing the bill (see picture of the roll call vote below). This bill represents the final legislative package that has been two years in the making and has been one of AFSCME Council 5's highest priorities. We have been working closely in with countless other labor unions, community organizations, and legislative champions like Governor Tim Walz, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, Rep.

Happy New Year! Looking Forward

As we wrap up 2021 and begin a new year, I wanted to reach out to you and share some highlights of our union in 2021 and our path forward in 2022. I wish you and your loved ones a happy new year. There are members of our union who may have an empty seat at the table this holiday season. Please know that your union family is here for you and always will be. I am beyond proud of the member activism and good deeds our members and local unions have engaged in over the last year and the community services you often provide.