Greetings,

Greetings,

Top of the News - March 16, 2009

The Legislature moves to help working families
The Minnesota Legislature is moving forward on legislation to expand some unemployment benefits in order to get federal economic recovery money. Legislation is also moving forward to address the mortgage crisis, create green jobs, create jobs via a bonding bill, and to address patient safety in hospitals and nursing homes.

Rich keep getting richer but the rest of us...
The MN Department of Revenue came out with their new tax incidence study and the news was startling. Working families have been paying more of their income in total state and local taxes than the richest Minnesotans for years. Now they are paying even more! The new figures show that the top richest 1% of Minnesotans still pay about 9% of their income in total taxes but those making between $35,000 - $97,000 a year are paying 12.6% of their income - or more!

Keep going to town meetings and contacting your legislators to urge them to use a balanced approach to our budget shortfall, asking everyone - including those with the highest incomes - to pay their fair share. Talking points can be found on our website "www.mnaflcio.org" click on 'At the Capitol' and then '2009 Budget Talking Points.  State House and Senate leaders have been drawing overflow crowds to their town hall meetings on the state budget. Thanks to all of those who are participating!

Employee Free Choice - the battle heats up
The Employee Free Choice Act has been introduced in the 111th Congress with 223 sponsors in the House and 40 in the Senate. Rep. George Miller is the chief House sponsor of H.R. 1409 and Sen. Ted Kennedy and Sen. Tom Harkin are the main Senate sponsors of S.R. 560.

The Employee Free Choice Act can help fix our broken labor laws
This angers the anti-union corporate community - they don't want to give up power. Corporate sponsored front groups are pouring millions of dollars into TV and print advertisements. The Chamber of Commerce is flying members into Washington D.C. to lobby Senators.

The battle for fair labor laws is now
We need to make our voices heard. We can't sit by and let lies about this bill go unanswered. Write letters to the editor of your local paper in support of the bill. Send a handwritten note to Senator Klobuchar thanking her for co-sponsoring the bill and helping to rebuild the middle class. Explain to your friends and neighbors the importance of the Employee Free Choice Act.

NALC Food Drive
Saturday, May 9, you can participate in the nation's largest one-day food drive by placing cans of food by your mailbox. Your letter carrier will pick up the food, which will be donated to local food shelves.

Mark Your Calendar
Sunday, March 29-Show your support for workers at the new Delta, Sunday, Mar. 29th, 3:30-6:30 PM at the Eagles Club #3209, 9152 Old Cedar Ave. in Bloomington. Complimentary food and beverages! Legislators and union leaders will speak in support of an organized workforce at the new Delta!

Apr. 22-24
MN Union Women's Leadership Retreat
Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge
Brainerd, MN
See Calendar Link on web site for details

Tues., April 28
Workers' Memorial Day