AFSCME members in Minnesota showed that when working people show up and stand together, politicians listen.
Around 500 members of AFSCME Council 5 rallied at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul earlier this month for a massive Day on the Hill lobby day. They were welcomed by Gov. Tim Walz, Secretary of State Steve Simon, State Auditor Julie Blaha, and Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy.
Members met with key state lawmakers like House Speaker Melissa Hortman to advance key priorities for working families — expanded unemployment insurance benefits for striking workers, fixes to the earned sick and safe time laws passed last year, expanded government transparency laws, and fixes to Minnesota’s public pension system.
They also pushed back against planned closures of facilities that provide direct substance abuse and mental health treatment across the state.
Tarajee Goorhouse, a licensed practical nurse at C.A.R.E in Carlton said the facility is the state’s sole women-only chemical dependency treatment facility and the only addiction treatment facility for pregnant women. It’s currently slated to be closed.
“It felt good to be able to advocate for the women of Minnesota and all of my co-workers,” said Goorhouse, a Council 5 member. “It was amazing to see and feel the support from the other locals.”
“I think it’s important for people to be able to advocate for themselves and others because if we don’t, nothing would ever change for the better,” Goorhouse added. “It’s for workers, our clients, the community and the state.”