St. Paul, Minn. – Representative Rick Hansen (DFL-South St. Paul) and Senator Matt Klein (DFL-Mendota Heights) today introduced legislation that would enshrine Minnesotans’ right to collectively bargain for good jobs, wages and benefits into the state’s constitution (Senate File 4083). If approved by the Legislature, the constitutional amendment would appear on the ballot this year
“Generations of Minnesotans have fought to improve working conditions, gain fair pay and benefits, and to ensure a secure retirement,” remarked Rep. Hansen. “Minnesotans expect us to make sure they continue to have the right to come together and bargain collectively. It's unfortunate this amendment is necessary, but Republicans' attacks on working Minnesotans are making it clear we need to act to safeguard hard working Minnesotans from attacks on their livelihood.
“Rep. Rick Hansen and I are committed to protecting the right of Minnesota workers to negotiate for their wages and benefits,” said Sen. Klein. “This constitutional amendment would ensure that our state stands strong for workers today and into the future. Minnesota can only stay great if we have a strong middle class, built of working families in every community.”
The amendment proposed by Rep. Hansen and Sen. Klein would appear on the 2018 ballot as follows:
Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to:
(1) grant public and private employees the constitutional right to organize and bargain collectively through labor unions;
(2) invalidate existing or future state or local laws that limit the ability to join unions and bargain collectively, and to negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements, including employees' financial support of their labor unions; and
(3) override state laws that regulate hours and conditions of employment to the extent that those laws conflict with collective bargaining agreements?
Yes
No
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