Hennepin County Afscme Local 34 - MN

Saturday morning vibes ✨

the big bird comic actually really pi**es me off because wage theft is a specific, common, CONCRETE crime that you can actually fight and do something about

the ubiquitous big bird comic that I see reposted every day gives a hand-wavey definition that no one can take direct action about

🤖: Let's break this down:

1. Wage theft vs. surplus value extraction:
Wage theft typically refers to specific illegal practices like not paying overtime, forcing employees to work off the clock, or paying below minimum wage. What the comic describes is actually the Marxist concept of surplus value extraction, which Marx saw as intrinsic to capitalism.

2. The Marxist perspective:
From a Marxist viewpoint, the comic is highlighting how capitalists (business owners) profit from the labor of workers. Marx argued that workers produce more value through their labor than they receive in wages. This difference - the "surplus value" - is appropriated by the capitalist as profit.

3. Critique of the framing:
While the comic aims to criticize this dynamic, calling it "wage theft" is misleading. In Marxist theory, this extraction of surplus value isn't illegal theft, but a fundamental feature of capitalist economics. Marx would argue it's systemic exploitation, not individual criminality.

4. Broader implications:
The comic simplifies complex economic relationships. It doesn't address factors like capital investment, risk, or market forces that mainstream economics would consider in explaining profits and wages.

5. Intent vs. accuracy:
The comic seems intended to provoke thought about wealth inequality and labor relations. However, it conflates distinct concepts, potentially confusing viewers about both wage theft and Marxist theory.

In summary, while the comic touches on real issues of economic inequality, its explanation misuses the term "wage theft" and oversimplifies the Marxist critique of capitalism. A more nuanced discussion would be needed to fully explore these complex economic concepts and their implications for workers and society.

Did you know you can opt out of TSA’s facial recognition program? If you've tried to opt out or plan to do so during your summer travels, then fill out a TSA scorecard to let us know about your experience opting out. Your voice matters: head to FLY.AJL.ORG to submit your story. ✈️

Billionaires don't 'earn money' like the rest of us

For a more equal Minneapolis, move the Labor Standards Board forward Local government must remain a place for action and trying new approaches to wicked public problems.

Be there if you can! 💚✊💚

On August 15th, management at Agate Housing & Services announced the closure of the 510 S. 8th Street building, as well as the neighboring Food Centre. This will shutter 42 shelter beds, as well as over 90 low income Single Room Occupancy units. This also means that a quarter of Local 999's Unionized workforce will be laid off.

Minneapolis is facing a homelessness crisis right now - with homelessness rising 13% in the metro between 2022 & 2023. People were turned down from shelter beds over 4,000 times in 2023 alone. The closure of these buildings will only widen that gap, and put stress on a system that is already stretched thin.

Join AFSCME Local 999 on Wednesday, August 28th outside the 510 South 8th street building for an informational picket, where we will be fighting alongside our Union family to keep the 510 building open and operational. This building does not have to close, and these hardworking Union members do not have to lose their jobs. We are also rallying to ensure that these Union members are treated fairly by management, and the contract, and law, is followed.

There's a lot for you at your local libraries!

Sometimes activism looks like getting a local library card 📚

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz will fight for the people.

From now until Election Day, the Green Machine is all in for the freedom to thrive, not just to make ends meet. Let’s get to work! ✊

We endorse AFSMCE Local 999's Informational Picket starting at noon on Wednesday, August 28th at 510 S. 8th Street in Minneapolis because Agate Housing and Services is closing this downtown Minneapolis homeless shelter.

A nonprofit is closing its 42-bed shelter program and 95-bed board and lodge program. AFSCME workers are scrambling after a weekend announcement that the homeless shelter will be closing due to lack of funding.

What if

New piece of civic artwork in St Mungo Square. It’s called Silent Agitator, created by Glasgow based artist Ruth Ewart and inspired by a 1917 poster for Industrial Workers of the World Union.
Love the clogs (sabots) on the hands.

When your boss becomes a main topic of your therapy sessions, you know it's time to organize with your coworkers.

Get them involved in a Member Action Team! 💚✊💚

✅

We all have that friend who forgets about elections until election day - until you remind them that today is Primary Day in Minnesota and we need them to vote by 8PM!

You might BE that person who needs a reminder. So here it is: Go vote today! Find out where at https://pollfinder.sos.mn.gov/ 🗳️

Find your polling place See where you vote on Election Day in Minnesota! From the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State

union members earn $250 more on average per week

US Representative Ilhan Omar is running for re-election with a long list of endorsements, including the Minnesota AFL-CIO and several local unions.
In 2023, Omar earned a 100 percent voting score from the national AFL-CIO on working families issues. Over her three terms in Congress, her lifetime AFL-CIO score is 91 percent.
She won the DFL endorsement earlier this year but faces a challenger in the August 13 primary.

https://minneapolisunions.org/news/mlr-2024-07-27-omar-runs-as-labor-champion

Which Hat do you think Minnesotans will like the best?

Harris-Walz Printed Camo Hat Official webstore of Harris Victory Fund

We're stronger together 💚💪🏾💚

Good morning 👌

Let's get that Contract!!! 💚 ✊ 💚

Don't build your house on shifting sand.

AFSCME’s Saunders on Harris’ VP pick: Tim Walz is a labor champion who personifies what public service is all about AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after Vice President Kamala Harris announced Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate:

“County workers in AFSCME Local 34 attended the board meeting to protest the raise. In a statement given out by the union, they said they serve as the frontline workers of Hennepin County.

Kevin Chavis, the union’s Member Team Action Coordinator, said there is a shortage of staff and a high turnover rate.

“We want 49 percent more workers,” he said. “We also ask the community, what would you like to see Hennepin County do more of? Where are they dropping the ball?"

Kate Liska is a case management assistant in Hennepin County’s Housing Stability Department, and she said the union workers want more money for county services.

“We have incredibly long wait times right now for basic services, people can’t get their benefits managed or turned on, and struggle to get through when they need those sorts of things,” Liska says.

Union leaders said they were offered only a 1 percent wage increase for 2025, followed by another increase of .5 percent in 2026 and in 2027.”

Hennepin County commissioners withdraw proposal to give themselves a 49 percent pay bump Hennepin County commissioners were set to vote Tuesday on whether to give themselves a 49 percent pay increase. Instead, they withdrew the proposal entirely after resident opposition.

“Who is of more value here? You know, offering us 1% today, and then the commissioners are voting themselves 49%, who do they value. We’re the ones who make the county work,” she said.

Konechne said they have talked with commissioners for months about how residents are suffering.

“We are very short staffed, very overwhelmed with caseloads, and if they want to invest that kind of money they should be investing in increasing the number of staff and increasing the services,” she said. “To just ignore our cries about what’s going on and then give themselves this kind of increase has been shocking.”

Konechne is happy this resolution isn’t moving forward, but she said she would support a reasonable pay increase.

Hennepin County Board votes to remove resolution that would increase commissioner pay by 49% Board Chair Irene Fernando, who authored the resolution, motioned to remove it because the public and some legislators weren't interested in it.

Kamala Harris picks Tim Walz as VP running mate for 2024 election Kamala Harris has selected Tim Walz, the popular two-term governor of Minnesota, as her running mate, selecting a Midwestern progressive to join her on the ticket.

Everyone deserves healthcare 💚

Everybody in, nobody out! 🏳️‍🌈✊🏳️‍⚧️