Blog

A. F. Kojetinsky Scholarship Applications for 2024

The United Steelworker District 11's Kojetinsky Scholarship applications have been issued for 2024.  There are two scholarships being offered, one for students who will be attending a four year college, and one for students who will be attending a technical or vocational school.  They are for students who are the children or wards of members of the Steelworkers.  You can click on the link below to open and print the applications.  To get the offical stamp needed to file the application, just swing by the office.  Applications have to be postmarked no later than May 31, 2024.

Dec. 10 Red Book Community Action

Join us for a community rally on the sidewalk in front of the Duluth Playhouse. Please note though that we are not protesting the Playhouse itself. This rally is in support of the tech workers of Essentia Health, who are currently locked in a bitter contract fight. Essentia is one of the sponsors of the current plays being performed at the Playhouse. Our goal is to make the community aware of Essentia's refusal to hire an adequate number of staff, or offer a respectable compensation package, for the hundreds of tech workers that make the quality patient care there possible.

Next Gen Conference in March '24

The United Steelworkers is going to be holding an international Next Gen conference coming up in March of 2024 in Pittsburg. The USW is strongly encouraging locals to send members who are 35 or younger or new to the union with a lot to learn. However, whether you’re a new member, a young member or a union veteran, everyone is welcome to participate. Local 9460 has voted to send members of our local Next Gen committee to the conference.

Advanced Practice Providers @ Essentia Are Unionizing

On November 28 the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) held a press conference announcing that they have filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to hold an election for the advanced practice providers at Essentia Health to join the union. Advanced practice providers is a category of workers that includes nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse midwives and clinical nurse specialists. This organizing drives covers all of Essentia Health’s “east market” – which covers Brainerd, International Falls and Duluth MN, as well as Ashland, Hayward and Superior WI.

Nov. 21 Red Book Update

RED BOOK UPDATE: The Labor Temple didn't have enough chairs for all of the Red Book members who showed up for last night's negotiations update meeting. We had a very intense and emotional discussion. Thank you to everyone who turned out and shared their thoughts. The universal sentiment that was communicated loudly and clearly was that the company's proposals regarding pay and benefits were WAY too low, given the sacrifices we have all been making. We'll be rolling out announcements for additional actions in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

Nov. 16 Red Book Update

RED BOOK: Our negotiating committee just concluded three days of bargaining with the company this week. The plan is to lay out a thorough update at our in-person Red Book meeting this coming Monday. The meeting will be held in the basement (Hall A) of the Duluth Labor Temple from 5:30-7:30pm. If you're unable to attend, we recommend reaching out to a WIN (Workers Information Network) team member on Tuesday.

Nov. 20 Red Book Negotiations Update Meeting

Our union is still locked in tough negotiations with Essentia Health over our Red Book - the contract that covers the technical workers at Essentia's Twin Ports facilities.  If you're a member of the Red Book unit, there will be an update meeting at the Labor Temple in Hall A on Monday November 20th from 5:30-7:30PM. Bring your questions and bring your coworkers!

Essentia Health: Your Workers Deserve Better!

Congratulations to everyone who was able to make it out to last night's rally at the UMD-North Dakota hockey game. We had an amazing turnout, and the response from motorists and pedestrians was fantastic! Essentia Health: Your Workers Deserve Better!