The Hod and Laser Blog

Laborers Mobilize to Fight so called "Right to Work" Amendment

2012-03-16T19:17:48Z

So called "Right-to-Work" Amendment is Unfair, Unsafe & Unnecessary

2012-03-16T18:04:10Z

Laborers Set Legislative Priorities for 2012 Session

2012-02-01T05:59:46Z

Some rights reserved by TBoardThe Laborers District Council of Minnesota & North Dakota (LDC of MN & ND) has released its legislative priorities for the 2012 session of the Minnesota legislature. "This will be a critical session for Laborers," said Todd Pufahl, Legislative Director for the LDC of MN & ND. "As the economy slowly recovers from the Great Recession, we need the legislature to be laser focused on creating jobs for Minnesota's critically depressed construction industry."

"Our members are ready to fight back against a corporate agenda that cuts the taxes of millionaires while kicking hard working families off unemployment and trying to steal their unions," said Russell Hess, Political Organizer for LDC of MN & ND. Support of rank and file members will be the key to achieving these priorities. We need all of our members to first, sign up to our E-Activist List and then to respond when your union calls to take part in any needed actions. The job you save may be your own.

Laborers Endorse Member Josh Bassais for MN House 61B

2011-10-26T19:54:46Z

Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis touts American Jobs Act with Laborers Members

2011-10-03T19:04:46Z

On a windy Thursday afternoon, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis visited construction workers and business leaders at the 10^th Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis to discuss the American Jobs Act’s impact for Minnesota’s economy and the state’s workers. Also speaking at the event were Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Kaylon Ashford, a young worker training for a job in construction.

The American Jobs Act will invest more than $600 million in the North Star State to fund highway and transit modernization projects — which could put roughly 7,500 Minnesotans back to work modernizing roads and bridges. In 2007, there were 116,000 people employed by Minnesota’s construction sector. Today, that number is down to 86,300.

Impact of Construction Jobs in Minnesota

2011-09-12T18:07:33Z

Build Minnesota so Minnesota Works Rally Update!

2011-07-27T19:23:57Z

The Build Minnesota so Minnesota Works Rally was a great success. About 500 people gathered on the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis. With construction work on the Corps of Engineers Lock and Dam just down river, in view of the site of I-35W bridge collapse tragedy and standing on a former railroad bridge that had been converted to a pedestrian crossing, the setting was perfect to talk about putting people back to work by harnessing America's creativity to build a 21st Century Transportation system. We have linked below some pictures and video of the event. Thanks to everyone who attended. Stay tuned for more on how to help us create more family supporting jobs Building Minnesota.

Stop Congress From Destroying More Construction Jobs

2011-07-26T17:41:09Z

This week, members of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – begin fighting job-killing cuts in transportation investment proposed by House Republican leaders while also pressuring lawmakers to pass a Senate proposal that will invest in America’s roads and bridges and put men and women to work.

Build Minnesota so Minnesota Works!

2011-06-13T16:13:26Z

Laborers Union members and members of the community who support creating jobs by rebuilding our state's crumbling infrastructure are called to join us for a BUILD MINNESOTA SO MINNESOTA WORKS Rally. The rally takes place on the Historic Stone Arch Bridge in Downtown Minneapolis. Infrastructure projects past and present surround the bridge with the tragic I-35W bridge in the background and the Mississippi River Locks and Dams nearby. At the rally, Laborers Union General President Terry O'Sullivan will describe a vision of rebuilding the deteriorating infrastructure of Minnesota and America. We believe that improving roads, bridges, water infrasctructure and energy producing facilities is the key to kickstarting the American economy. A massive rebuilding effort would create new high quality jobs for American workers and spur economic development across the country.

BlueGreen Alliance releases National Transportation Policy

2011-06-13T15:13:41Z

"An overhaul of our nation's transportation system is long overdue. The system is broken, and broke - in addition to improving our infrastructure, we also need to create sustainable revenue sources to fund needed investments." That is how the last paragraph of the BlueGreen Alliance's new National Policy on Transportation ends. Along the way, the policy lays out six elements of what a comprehensive transportation policy should include:

Modernize Transportation Infrastructure and Make It More Efficient
Make Our Transportation Networks Greener
Support Flexibility for Transit Operating Assistance
Build Cleaner Cars and Trucks Here in America
Support Cleaner Ports and Freight
Create Quality U.S. Jobs in Transportation