State Labor Federation Convenes at DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota AFL-CIO hosted their biennial state convention at the DECC.

Since Sunday delegates have been gathering to discuss issue resolutions, approve political candidate endorsements, learn recent trends in union organizing, and more. They have also invited speakers and political candidates to share their platforms.

“Well, labor has a strong history in the 8th district. It was a strong labor district. We wanna bring it back we wanna fight for working families and make unions stronger. And in past administrations there’s been a real movement at the federal level to weaken labor unions,” said Jen Schultz, running for congress in Minnesota’s 8th District.

The state labor federation represents more than 1,000 unions and 300,000 working people. We caught up with one representative who had those working people on their mind.

“It gives you hope. It gives you a reason to wake up and continue to do the job that you do every day knowing that there’s someone on the state and local levels there backing you, wanting to help you make a decent wage for your family,” said Lueva Karachalios, Local Union President of ASME Local 1119-1.

Some of the speakers included Lt. Governer Peggy Flanagan, National AFL-CIO President Liz Schuler, and Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert. The event wrapped up Tuesday afternoon.