Barb_Kucera

Barb_Kucera's picture

Biography

About me

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

Community groups, workers rally for Crystal Sugar boycott

By Barb Kucera, Workday Minnesota

Community groups joined locked-out workers outside the downtown Minneapolis Target store to call for an end to the American Crystal Sugar lockout.

Members of community groups joined locked-out workers from American Crystal Sugar at a rally Friday at the downtown Minneapolis Target store to demand the retailer boycott Crystal Sugar products. Nineteen months ago, Crystal Sugar locked out 1,300 members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco & Grain Millers union at its sugar beet processing plants in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa. Target is one of Crystal Sugar’s major customers, sold under the Market Pantry brand.

MORE »

United Steelworkers, U.S. Steel form 'Iron Ore Alliance' to preserve and create jobs

By Barb Kucera, Workday Minnesota

Flanked by union members, company representatives and Governor Mark Dayton, United Steelworkers District 11 Director Bob Bratulich announced formation of the Iron Ore Alliance.

Members of the United Steelworkers say an alliance with their employer – U.S. Steel – is a natural next step in preserving and creating jobs on Minnesota’s Iron Range. About 50 union and non-union employees of U.S. Steel joined union leaders and company executives at a state Capitol news conference Wednesday to announce formation of the Iron Ore Alliance. They were joined by Governor Mark Dayton and members of the Legislature from northeastern Minnesota.

MORE »

Minnesota Fair Trade Coalition: Obama trade proposal threatens more Minnesota jobs

By Barb Kucera, Workday Minnesota

President Obama’s plan to participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement threatens thousands of Minnesota jobs, according to a new analysis released by the Minnesota Fair Trade Coalition. “We intend to complete negotiations on a Trans-Pacific Partnership,” Obama pledged in his State of the Union speech Tuesday night. If enacted, it would become the largest free trade agreement in U.S. history.

MORE »

Twin Cities janitors, security officers prepare for possible strike

By Barb Kucera, Workday Minnesota

Janitors and security officers marched through Minneapolis skyways Thursday to demonstrate their determination to get a fair contract.

More than 6,000 janitors and security officers, frustrated with takeback demands by employers, plan a Feb. 9 strike vote. They demonstrated their determination with a march through Minneapolis skyways Thursday.

MORE »

Workers challenge union-busting at Progressive Rail

By Barb Kucera, Workday Minnesota

UTU-SMART members picketed Tuesday outside Progressive Rail in Lakeville.

Members of the United Transportation Union conducted informational picketing Tuesday at Progressive Rail, Inc., to protest anti-union actions taken by the railroad. Several dozen people picketed for three hours in frigid temperatures at the headquarters of Progressive Rail in suburban Lakeville. “We are here to show our total support,” said Phil Craig, a member of the union’s International Executive Board.

MORE »

Election marks huge win for Minnesota workers, say unions and labor organizers

By Barb Kucera, Workday Minnesota

Unions are calling Tuesday’s election a huge win for Minnesota workers. In addition to the re-election of President Obama, workers will benefit from the new DFL majority in the state Legislature and the defeat of two proposed constitutional amendments. “An amazing night for Labor-endorsed candidates!” the Minnesota AFL-CIO tweeted just after midnight.

MORE »

Union members roll up their sleeves to defend worker rights

By Barb Kucera, Workday Minnesota

Keenly aware that the future of the labor movement may be at stake, delegates from many unions converged in Rochester Sunday for the biennial convention of the Min

MORE »

Minnesota's young AFL-CIO workers showing new ways to lead

By Barb Kucera, Workday Minnesota

No one would blame Nicholas Perez and Cheri Stewart if they decided the problems facing their generation are just too big to tackle.

MORE »

Part-time firefighters win right to unionize

By Barb Kucera, Workday Minnesota

Kevin Bruch

Kevin Bruch regularly puts his life on the line – and saves live and property – in his job as a Brooklyn Park firefighter.

MORE »

Sugar workers hopeful for end to 10-month lockout

By Barb Kucera, Workday Minnesota

Workers locked out by American Crystal Sugar since last Aug.

MORE »
Syndicate content