Union leaders praise Governor Dayton's focus on jobs

Union leaders reacted positively to Governor Mark Dayton's State of the State Address, praising his focus on jobs and working cooperatively with the Legislature. Dayton "offered a bold vision that will build on Minnesota's economic recovery and lay a foundation for future success," Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson said.

"Minnesota is already recovering faster than other states; we have an opportunity to complete that recovery by putting thousands more Minnesotans back to work in family-sustaining jobs by improving and expanding critical infrastructure . . . Legislators have an opportunity to produce the results Minnesotans deserve by working with Governor Dayton in building a better Minnesota."

Dayton's speech "struck a chord with working families in need of more hopeful tones coming from St. Paul," said Julie Schnell, president of Service Employees International Union Healthcare Minnesota, which represents more than 15,000 healthcare workers in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home care throughout the state.

"Putting Minnesotans back to work also means giving citizens access to the world class education and training that made our state great," Schnell said. "It is what our membership needed to hear — especially during a time when the core needs of working families and public service employees are so harshly and repeatedly undermined."

Officers of Building Trades unions said they appreciated Dayton's efforts to get people back to work.

"The construction industry is struggling and we applaud Governor Dayton for his focus on jobs. Our members expect elected officials to get results and that's what the Governor is proposing with his bonding bill, the Vikings stadium and the tax incentive jobs package," said Glen Johnson, business manager for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49.

John Raines, executive secretary-treasurer for the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, said Dayton "wants to get our economy moving through bonding for infrastructure. This will help the construction industry get on its feet again and will impact our state positively for generations to come.”

Public employees who work for the state also praised Dayton's remarks.

"Governor Dayton shares our commitment to good jobs and economic fairness – and we join him in asking the Legislature to focus on getting Minnesota back to work," said Eliot Seide, director of AFSCME Council 5, the union which represents 18,000 state employees.

"Frontline public workers welcome the opportunity to partner with the Dayton administration to improve service delivery for the people of Minnesota. Together, we can create a better Minnesota where everyone has the opportunity to prosper."

The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, which represents 13,000 state workers, issued a call for the Legislature to concentrate on improving the state's economy rather than proposing controversial amendments to the state Constitution.

"Governor Dayton's State of the State Address reminds all of us what Minnesotans really want – good paying jobs, an excellent education system and a government that efficiently provides important state services to its citizens," said Executive Director Jim Monroe.

"There is still time for Minnesota's legislative leadership to redirect its efforts back to these bread-and-butter issues rather than focusing on social issues and a political agenda meant to punish those citizens who support DFL elected officials.

"Governing should not be about scoring political points or the next election. True leadership comes from making tough decisions during this session to benefit all Minnesotans, preserve our middle class and leave the state in better economic shape than it is in today."

Barb Kucera

I edit the Workday Minnesota news site, www.workdayminnesota.org