Walz order on mining is a broken promise
Local 49 Business Manager Ryan Davies released the following statement on Gov. Tim Walz’s Aug. 18, 2026, executive order on mining: “Gov. Walz ran and was elected on a responsible…
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Day at the Capitol 2026
Mark your calendar to join us for a Day at the Capitol in St. Paul on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Members who participate will receive a free Local 49 quarter-zip….
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Join us at the Rally for Jobs April 30
Local 49, along with other Minnesota unions, will participate in the Building Trades Rally for Jobs at the Minnesota State Capitol Wednesday, April 30. What: Building Trades Rally for Jobs…
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Day at the Capitol 2025
Mark your calendar to join us for a Day at the Capitol in St. Paul on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Members who participate will receive a free Local 49 full-zip…
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Local 49 endorses Congressman Pete Stauber
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 has announced its endorsement of Congressman Pete Stauber for reelection in the 8th Congressional District. Stauber, a Republican, accepted the endorsement in…
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Local 49 endorses municipal candidates, November 2023
Today, Nov. 7, 2023, is Election Day! Even though statewide officers and legislators are not on the ballot, many cities and school districts have important elections. Local 49 reminds members…
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Sen. Jim Abeler named honorary member of Local 49
IUOE Local 49 has named Sen. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka, an honorary member of the union, in recognition of his long career in public service supporting the building and construction trades….
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Local 49 staff testify before Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement
Today Local 49 general counsel Chris Chantry and business agent Jonathan Turner testified in favor of a Minnesota bill that would raise the limit on what public sector units can…
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Priorities for Minnesota’s 2023 legislative session
Minnesota’s 2023 legislative session kicked off earlier this month in St. Paul, and Local 49 is actively advocating for members, both in committee hearings and through one-on-one meetings with legislators…
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Local 49 endorses Emmer for reelection
Local 49 has endorsed Congressman Tom Emmer for reelection in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District. “Congressman Emmer has been an advocate for family-supporting, union jobs, including his unwavering support of Davis-Bacon…
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IUOE Local 49 Endorses Schultz for attorney general
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, Minnesota’s largest construction union, endorses Jim Schultz for Minnesota attorney general. (See the formal press release here.) Local 49 Business Manager Jason…
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IUOE Local 49 Endorses Walz for Reelection
Media contact: John Pollard IUOE Local 49 Legislative Director C: 651-329-2373 Email: jpollard@local49.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE IUOE Local 49 Endorses Walz for Reelection MINNEAPOLIS — The International Union of Operating…
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Local 49 endorses Minnesota House and Senate candidates
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, Minnesota’s largest construction union, has endorsed 73 candidates in the upcoming elections for the state House and Senate. Local 49 takes a…
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Local 49 business manager condemns failure of House DFL to reach deal on infrastructure
Jason George, business manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, released the following statement Wednesday, May 25, in response to the Minnesota Legislature’s failure to complete its…
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Congressman Stauber supports stronger prevailing wage regulations
Local 49 thanks Minnesota Congressman Pete Stauber for backing much-needed updates to the Davis-Bacon Act regulations that will directly benefit operating engineers. Approved in 1931, the Davis-Bacon Act requires contractors…
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MN Senate passes bill to dedicate auto parts sales tax to roads and bridges
With members of Local 49 advocating at the Capitol, the Minnesota Senate passed a bill Thursday, April 28, to dedicate 100% of the sales tax paid on auto parts to…
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BILL DEDICATING AUTO PARTS SALES TAX TO ROADS AND BRIDGES PASSES COMMITTEE WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT
A bill dedicating 100% of the sales tax paid on auto parts to road and bridge projects is headed to the Senate floor with the support of IUOE Local 49….
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Local 49 Business Manager Jason George Speaks at House Committee on Natural Resources
Congressman Pete Stauber invited Local 49 Business Manager Jason George to speak in front of the Committee on Natural Resources Republicans and the Western Caucus today about the importance of…
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Local 49 responds to Governor Walz’s Budget Surplus Announcement
Today, Governor Tim Walz announced the largest budget surplus in the state’s history of $7.7 billion. This not only marks a significant milestone in our state but provides a once-in-a-generation…
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Act Now to Defend Minnesota’s Mining Laws
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been ordered by the Court to review the state’s nonferrous mining rule and is accepting public comment on the matter through December…
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Local 49 Announces New Legislative Director
Today, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 announced that John Pollard will serve as the union’s new Legislative Director. Pollard will be responsible for the union’s day-to-day…
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IUOE Statement on Federal Infrastructure Package
“I want to thank General President Callahan and the IUOE legislative team in Washington for their efforts to make this historic investment in Operating Engineers jobs a reality. I also…
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Local 49 Supports Committee to Educate Voters on Negative Impacts of Rent Control
A broad coalition of civic and housing leaders has launched efforts in St. Paul and Minneapolis to educate voters and defeat rent control ballot initiatives which, if passed, would result…
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Statement from IUOE Local 49 Business Manager Jason George regarding recent letter by Congresswomen Omar and McCollum and dozens of local state DFL elected politicians disparaging Local 49 members
Last night, I read the letter sent to President Biden penned by Minneapolis and St. Paul Congresswomen Omar and McCollum, several others of their Congressional colleagues from around the nation,…
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Fact Sheets Released Highlighting the Impact of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Nationwide
The US Senate will be voting very soon on final passage of the largest infrastructure investment in U.S. history. Billions of dollars of new investment are at stake for our…
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Contact your Senator to support bi-partisan infrastructure jobs legislation
“Members, now is the time to get engaged to support your jobs, and the rebuilding of America. IUOE headquarters has created a website where you can get information about the…
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MN Legislative Session Ends – Results for Local 49
The MN Legislative Session is ending today. We were very active this session, as we always are, focused on the same core things we always focus on: growing JOBS, and…
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Minnesota Workers Join Stauber in Condemning House Democrats’ Shortsighted Attacks on Mining
Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) expressed his strong opposition to the Fiscal Year 2022 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Spending bill which is being led by House Democrats and contains a…
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Local 49 statement on the bid award of the Fargo Flood Diversion project
We learned late last week that the Fargo Flood Diversion project was awarded to a Spanish firm Acciona and their partners. A local union contractor Ames Construction, along with their…
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Minnesota Court of Appeals Affirms Line 3 replacement project permits
Local 49 Business Manager Jason George stated: “Today is a good day for common sense. Line 3 replacement project is the most studied pipeline in history, and with today’s…
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Local 49 Business Manager Interview with Linder Farm Radio Network
Local 49 Business Manager Jason George spoke on Linder Farm Radio Network this morning and shared his thoughts on the Enbridge Line 3 protest activity that has occurred this week….
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Message from Business Manager Jason George on the Marathon Refinery issue
We have seen Marathon Refinery in St. Paul Park kick out local contractors with skilled union tradesmen and women and replace them with out of state contractors in the last…
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Union Leaders, Health & Safety Personnel and Local Leaders Urge Bipartisan Action to Pass Refinery Safety Bill
Local 49 Business Manager Jason George, alongside workers and other community leaders, spoke to the media today urging the legislature to pass apprenticeship requirements for contractors working in Minnesota’s oil…
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Operating Engineers, Carpenters, and Laborers Unions Support the Clean Energy for America Act
I want to thank IUOE General President Callahan, along with the LiUNA and Carpenters for taking a strong stand on the issue of labor protections being required for support of…
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Summary of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP Act)
Summary of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP Act) and how it could effect Local 49 members US Congress summary extend unemployment benefits and related services. make up to…
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Local 49 urges legislators to invest in infrastructure as budget surplus is expected
“Today, state officials announced that Minnesota has a $1.6 billion surplus of tax money for the 2022-23 budget year. The state owes a debt of gratitude to the men and…
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National Study Says So-called “Right to Work” (RTW) States Have Worse Economic, Health, Social, and Civic Outcomes
In an eight-year period of national economic expansion that followed the Great Recession of 2008, the 27 U.S. states that had enacted so-called “right-to-work” laws saw slower economic growth, lower…
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Local 49 Business Manager Jason George Statement on revocation of Keystone XL permits
“The news yesterday that President Biden has revoked the permit for Keystone XL is a blow to our membership. There are dozens of members that were already working on pump…
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General President Callahan Issues Statement Following the Election Results
Every member should take a minute and read this statement from our General President about the recent elections and the aftermath. “I stand 100 percent behind General President James Callahan…
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Local 49 Participates in Infrastructure Bonding Bill Signing with Governor Tim Walz
Today Local 49, along with our fellow building trades unions, gathered at the Iron Workers Local 512 Training Center to participate in a bill signing with Governor Tim Walz for…
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Local 49 Business Manager Jason George Message to Members on Passage of Bonding Bill
“I am very pleased to announce that both the Minnesota House and Senate have now passed an infrastructure bonding bill that will invest close to $2 billion in projects across…
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Local 49 Final Endorsement List
Local 49 Final Endorsement List 2020 Click here to view the Local 49 endorsement flyer U.S. Senate Tina Smith (DFL) U.S. Congress MN 6th District – Tom Emmer (Republican) MN…
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Business Manager Jason George issued the following statement regarding urgency of passing bonding bill this week during special session
“For months now construction workers, small and large businesses, material suppliers, architects, engineers, and local communities totaling hundreds of thousands of Minnesotan’s have watched our political leaders fail to pass…
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Local 49 releases bi-partisan list of endorsements for MN state legislature
Local 49 Business Manager, Jason George, released the following statement regarding Local 49’s bi-partisan list of endorsements: We believe that our members are the backbone of this country. We believe…
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Federal Legislation Summary and Local 49 Training Center News
Local 49 Members, There are two important updates to share today. 1. Congress has passed a couple pieces of important legislation to help Americans deal with the repercussions of the…
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Local 49 Update to Members on MN Governor’s Executive Order
Members, Today Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued a stay at home executive order. This order goes into effect Friday, March 27, at 11:59 pm and goes through Friday, April 10,…
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One Step Closer to Saving Apprenticeship Programs!
Thank you to all our members, your families, and friends who submitted comments to the Department of Labor in response to the proposed changes that would negatively affect every member…
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