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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Local 49 Apprentice Spotlight: Emiliano Corona
Emiliano Corona has always loved working outdoors from a young age, particularly with his father at his yard and lawn company. “Since I was in middle school, I always…
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Apprenticeship Spotlight: Sydnie Nelson
Sydnie Nelson has grown up around the construction industry her entire life and is now making her dream career a reality after she joined the Local 49 Apprenticeship program. …
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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 Business Manager Jason George Provides Update on Status of Twin Cities Public Sector Negotiations
I want to update the membership on the ongoing contract negotiations with St. Paul, Minneapolis, the MET Council, and the Metropolitan Airports Commission. Last week, the Local 49 members…
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Local 49 Partners with Native American-Owned Organization to Provide Training and Potential Career Opportunities
Pictured are Five Skies participants completing oiler training at the Local 49 Training Center Local 49 recently partnered with Five Skies Training and Consulting, a Native American-owned organization specializing in…
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Local 49 Responds to Proposed Mineral Withdrawal Plan for Northern Minnesota
“Today’s announcement by the Biden Administration to initiate yet another mineral withdrawal study is a disheartening blow to job creation on the Iron Range and casts doubt on the seriousness…
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Operating Engineers Career Pathway Program Hands-On Event
On Saturday, October 9, over 60 students enrolled in the Operating Engineers Career Pathway program received hands-on experience operating equipment at the Local 49 Training Center as part of the…
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Local 49 Business Manager statement on the status of Twin Cities public sector contract negotiations
I wanted to update the membership on an urgent matter. Contract negotiations with several large Twin Cities public employers are not going well. Our more than 100 members that work…
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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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The Local 49 Training Center is Hiring!
The Local 49 Training Center is hiring for the following positions: Administrative Assistant Grading & Excavating/GPS Instructor Click above to view each position description and qualifications. To apply for either…
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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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Fall Benefit Meetings
The Operating Engineers Local 49 Health and Welfare Fund will host virtual benefit meetings throughout this fall for all hourly active participants to discuss the upcoming dollar bank change, the…
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Election Results
The IUOE Local 49 Officer and Executive Board election concluded on August 16, 2021. On September 1, 2021, your IUOE Local 49 Officers and Executive Board leadership are as follows:…
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Online Heavy Equipment Classes Open for Enrollment for all MN High School Students Until August 30
Enrollment is currently open until August 30 for the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 49 high school pathway program. This program is in partnership with Minnesota Virtual Academy…
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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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Local 49 Member Testifies in Front of Frontline Worker Pay Working Group
Local 49 member TJ Hodges testified in front of the Frontline Worker Pay Working Group on Wednesday to advocate for Local 49 members to be included in the recently authorized…
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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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Local 49 Metro Area Picnic RSVP
Local 49 Metro area Picnic Sunday, September 19, 2021 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. Food will be served from 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m. Hope…
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Data Security Issue
IUOE Local 49 is providing this statement to address serious concerns raised by many of our members about a possible data breach. Many members of Local 49 have complained to…
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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 Northern Area Picnic
Local 49 will be hosting the Northern area picnic on Sunday, August 1 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park located at 4392 Miller Trunk Road Eveleth, MN 55734 …
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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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St. Cloud July Union Meeting is Cancelled
Due to the Fourth of July holiday, the membership decided to cancel the St. Cloud union meeting that was scheduled for July 1. The St. Cloud union meetings will resume…
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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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Local 49 Hosts Hands-On Heavy Equipment Training Event for High School Students Across the State
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Fall enrollment is now open for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49‘s Operating Engineers Career Pathway program, who recently hosted high school students from across…
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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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2021 Local 49 Scholarship Recipients
Recipients of a Scholarship award from Local 49 were announced at the General Membership Meeting on May 19, 2021. Ten grants of $1,000.00 each were awarded this year and Local…
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Face Covering Guidelines Update
Following the changes to Minnesota’s statewide mask requirement late last week Local 49 officers have met and agreed to adjust the mask requirements as follows: Masks will continue to be required…
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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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Additional Operating Engineers Local 49 Health Fund Virtual Benefit Meetings
The Operating Engineers Local 49 Health and Welfare Fund will host virtual benefit meetings throughout the summer for all hourly active participants to discuss the upcoming dollar bank change, the…
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Operating Engineers Local 49 Health Fund COVID-19 Vaccine On-Site Event
The Operating Engineers Local 49 Health and Welfare Fund and TEAM, your Medical Advocacy Program, have partnered with Cub Pharmacy to host a COVID-19 on-site event in Minneapolis and Rochester…
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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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International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 statement on treatment of the Minnesota National Guard by other labor leaders this week
I learned on twitter last night of an incident that occurred earlier this week involving other union leaders and the Minnesota National Guard at the St. Paul Labor Center. What…
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Local 49 Training Center is Hiring for a General Crane and All Terrain Crane Instructors
The Local 49 Training Center is hiring for a General Crane Instructor and an All Terrain Crane Instructor. Click below to view the job description and requirements for each position….
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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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Public Sector & Private Shops Steward Training
Public Sector & Private Shops Steward Training will be hosted on April 27, 2021 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. This training is designed for all current stewards and members interested…
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Elizabeth Ennenga – Women in Construction Week
Local 49 member Elizabeth Ennenga graduated from Georgetown University with a major in comparative politics and now owns her own company: Quad E Companies. Soon after graduation, Elizabeth moved…
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NaFeeSha King – Member Story
“This is the greatest job in the world, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” NaFeeSha King has worn many hats throughout her career in various industries but says that…
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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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Minnesota Supreme Court rules in favor of PolyMet air permit
St. Paul, Minn., February 24, 2021 – The Minnesota Supreme Court today unanimously ruled in favor of the Clean Air Act permit issued to PolyMet by the Minnesota Pollution Control…
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Joe Simmonds – Local 49 Member Story
Joe Simmonds, a 19-year member of Local 49, has been in the construction industry since moving to Minnesota from the U.S. Virgin Islands to owning his own construction business. “When…
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The Local 49 Training Center is Hiring for a Crane Instructor
The Local 49 Training Center is now hiring for a crane instructor. This posting will remain open until Monday, March 8. Click here to view the job description and requirements. …
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U.S. District Court Ends Federal Challenge to PolyMet’s Water Quality Permit
St. Paul, Minn., February 16, 2021 – A federal judge dismissed a challenge to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s oversight of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System water quality permit…
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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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Virtual Pipeline Informational Union Meeting
Local 49 will be hosting a virtual pipeline informational union meeting on Tuesday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and the limited indoor space that is available,…
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Local 49 Member Connie Smallman selected to be on task force for women’s economic equality
Local 49 member Connie Smallman has been selected to become a member of the Advisory Task Force on Expanding the Economic Security of Women. Last week Minnesota Attorney General Keith…
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