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Deadline nears for governor’s Uber and Lyft task force
Take a seat in the Break Room, the Reformer’s (new) weekly roundup of labor news in Minnesota. The Governor’s Committee on the Compensation, Wellbeing, and Fair Treatment of Transportation Network Company Drivers — also known as the Uber/Lyft task force — met for the fourth time on Tuesday to discuss unfair terminations, or “deactivations.” The […]
Lawsuit against police for targeting journalists during Minneapolis protests heads toward trial
A lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis and Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office alleging law enforcement officers targeted journalists during the 2020 protests and riots following the police murder of George Floyd is headed to trial barring a settlement agreement. A federal judge on Tuesday rejected motions by the city and the sheriff’s office to dismiss […]
Worker advocates push for nation-leading labor standards board in Minneapolis
Take a seat in the Break Room, the Reformer’s (new) weekly round-up of labor news in Minnesota. Labor advocates continue to pressure the Minneapolis City Council to create a nation-leading Labor Standards Board that would have immense influence over wages and working conditions across industries. The board — made up equally of workers, industry representatives […]
This labor market just won’t quit: 5 charts on Minnesota’s labor economy
Minnesotans work at higher rates than the nation as a whole. They also are more likely to be in a union and earn more money. “It’s good to live in Minnesota,” said Aaron Sojourner, a labor economist at the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. Now is especially a good time, as a labor shortage […]
The Legislature almost killed the lawsuit against the Minneapolis 2040 Plan
Earlier this year, the Minnesota Legislature nearly passed a law that would have killed the lawsuit that has dogged the city of Minneapolis for years over its 2040 Plan, which calls for ending single-family zoning and adding housing density across the city. The two nonprofit groups that sued the city under a state environmental law […]
Lawmakers look to ban shadow noncompete agreements in property management contracts
Earlier this year, Minnesota Democrats banned noncompete agreements, which are shown to suppress workers’ wages by preventing them from changing jobs. They also banned so-called no-poach agreements between franchise owners of restaurants, which were used to prevent workers from moving from one fast-food restaurant to another of the same brand, for instance. Since then, the […]
Ruth Richardson, CEO of regional Planned Parenthood, resigns from Minnesota House
Third-term state Rep. Ruth Richardson, DFL-Mendota Heights, announced her resignation from the Legislature on Friday evening in a Twitter thread, writing her time in the Legislature has been “the honor of a lifetime,” but that her “season of service is ending effective immediately.” In a Tuesday interview, Richardson said she needs to give her full […]
Lead author of Uber and Lyft bill withdraws from governor’s task force
Uber and Lyft drivers had no greater champion at the state Capitol this year than Sen. Omar Fateh, DFL-Minneapolis. He was first to introduce a bill to raise wages and expand protections for Uber and Lyft drivers, and when the proposal foundered, he pressured legislative leaders to revive it in the final days of the […]
Workers see big raise after condo board hires unionized management firm
Condo workers at River Towers in Minneapolis recently won two things for which they’ve been fighting for over a year: a union and a big pay raise. Desk attendant and union organizer Josh Musikantow saw his wages rise 30% overnight — from $18.50 to $24 per hour — after he was hired by American Security and […]
Minneapolis mayor vetoes minimum wage ordinance for Uber and Lyft drivers
Uber and Lyft drivers pushing for higher wages and greater protections from unfair terminations suffered their second legislative defeat in three months on Tuesday, after Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey vetoed an ordinance regulating both companies. In May, Gov. Tim Walz vetoed a similar bill passed by the Legislature, saying he supported higher wages for drivers […]
Minnesota attorney general launches investigation of Allina Health’s billing practices
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced on Friday an investigation into Allina Health’s billing practices, following a New York Times investigation that revealed the health care system cut off non-emergency care to patients behind on medical debt. Allina Health, one of the largest non-profit health systems in Minnesota, canceled appointments for patients with more than […]
Minneapolis council passes minimum pay for Uber and Lyft drivers despite companies’ threats
Minneapolis City Council voted 7-5 on Thursday in favor of a package of regulations that would more than double pay for Uber and Lyft drivers and give them greater protections against unfair termination, or “deactivation.” Mayor Jacob Frey’s necessary sign off on the ordinance is in doubt, however, after he sent a letter to the […]