Legislative Session Opening Day Rally

State Capitol Steps

February 4 - 12:00 noon
Free chartered bus for U workers leaving from Morrill Hall at 11:15 a.m. sharp
and returning to the U by 1:30 p.m.

Join us to demand a real solution to the economic crisis

February 4 is the opening day of the Minnesota legislative session. Once again, this year looks to be a very difficult session for working people, and this includes U workers. With another
multi-billion dollar deficit projected, Governor Pawlenty and many legislators are talking
about deep cuts to higher education (including the U budget), cuts to all kinds of social services that serve working and poor people, and cuts to state agencies in general. State aid to cities and counties is also on the chopping block, which will affect even more programs as well as translating into job cuts for city and county workers. Cuts like these will only make the
economic situation worse. We need to speak out against such cuts.

AFSCME Local 3800 is part of a coalition called the Minnesota Coalition for a People's Bailout, which brings together various unions and organizations representing working and poor
people in Minnesota. The coalition is organizing a rally on the steps of the capitol on February 4, the opening day of the legislative session. We are rallying to tell legislators that cuts to public services and furloughs and layoffs of public sector workers are not the answer to the economic crisis. We will tell Governor Pawlenty and Minnesota's politicians
to not balance the budget on our backs, but instead raise taxes on those who can afford it: the wealthiest 10% and corporations. We will be asking legislators to support a package of bills that truly address the economic crisis. Here is what we will be fighting for in 2010: an extension of unemployment insurance, a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions of renters from
foreclosed buildings, job creation programs, a moratorium on layoffs of state workers (including the U), and more.

Local 3800 has chartered a bus so that a group of us can go together to the rally from the U. We
will be leaving from Morrill Hall at 11:15 a.m. sharp to head to the Capitol. Then our bus will leave the Capitol at 1:00 p.m. to be back at the U around 1:30 p.m. Our union will pay your salary for 'lost time' away from work so you can attend the rally. Please contact us to let us know you are interested or for more information. It will be first-come first-served for the bus seats.

Rally in Support of Twin Cities Janitors (SEIU Local 26)
Saturday, January 30th
11am-1pm
312 Central Ave,
2nd Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55414

Janitors in the Twin Cities, members of SEIU Local 26, have been attempting to bargain a contract for the last month and a half to win good, green jobs. Janitors clean the buildings of some of the biggest companies in the US:
·         Wells Fargo, which made $3 billion dollars last year
·         US Bank, which made $1.8 billion dollars last year
·         Target, which made $2 billion dollars in 2008

But instead of bargaining in good faith, the janitors’ employers have chosen to retaliate against janitors who are speaking up at their job sites.

This Saturday, janitors in SEIU Local 26 will vote to authorize a strike. This is a historic moment, as janitors take a stand not just for their rights and good jobs, but also to create and leave behind a healthier environment for our children.  AFSCME 3800 will be joining our sisters and brothers throughout the labor movement this Saturday, January
30th, as janitors show they are ready to fight against unfair labor practices and for Good Jobs and a Green Future.