Before apprenticeship, Akeethia Lloyd was ‘just trying to survive’

Before she became an operating engineer apprentice, Akeethia Lloyd was “just trying to survive.” Going through Local 49’s Apprenticeship Program literally changed her life. Akeethia is now a career navigator…

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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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Members accept MN Builders Agreement

The Minnesota Builders Agreement was overwhelmingly accepted by Local 49 members in a vote Saturday, April 30. The updated wage rates will be posted here on Monday morning, May 2.

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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 responds to gas tax holiday proposal.

Local 49 Responds to Gas Tax Holiday Proposal   There is no question that gas prices are out of control and there is a need to do something to address…

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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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Mask Requirement for Minneapolis Hall

Following the changes to the city of Minneapolis’s mask requirement last week, Local 49 is required to adjust the mask requirement policy as follows: Masks will be required to be…

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Tonight’s West Fargo Union Meeting is Cancelled

Due to inclement weather, tonight’s West Fargo union meeting will be cancelled. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 3.

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Local 49 members working for the city of Minneapolis approved final contract offer

Local 49 members have voted to accept the latest contract offer from the city of Minneapolis, and our members will not be going on strike. This was a challenging negotiation,…

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Local 49 Issues Update on City of Minneapolis Negotiations

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 filed an intent to strike notice with the city of Minneapolis two weeks ago after our membership voted down the city’s latest…

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Judge Grants Tri-Council’s Temporary Restraining Order Against the City of St. Paul

Today, the Ramsey County District Court Judge granted the Tri-Council’s (IUOE Local 49, Teamsters Local 120, and Laborers Local 363) request for a temporary restraining order. This ruling has now…

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Local 49 members working at the Minneapolis Airport overwhelmingly vote to authorize a strike

Today, a vote was held by Local 49 members that work for the Metropolitan Airport Commission on whether or not to authorize the union to take their bargaining unit out…

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Local 49 members working for the city of Minneapolis vote down last contract offer and file to strike

Last night, members of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 49 that are employed by the city of Minneapolis voted down the city’s final contract offer. Local 49…

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Local 49 Files Lawsuit Against the City of St. Paul for Vaccine Mandate

The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 49 filed a lawsuit yesterday over the requirement that city employees must receive the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the year…

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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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December Grand Forks Union Meeting is Cancelled

The Grand Forks union meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 7 has been cancelled. The next Grand Forks meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 4 at 7:00 p.m.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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February Union Meetings

Local 49 Members, We have come up with a plan for union meetings in February that we believe keeps us in compliance with the current law on gatherings. In February,…

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Local 49 Stands with Teamsters Local 120 – Boycott Marathon Gas Stations

More than 200 of our brothers and sisters from Teamsters Local 120 are walking a picket line right now at Marathon Refinery in St. Paul Park. We stand with them….

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Membership Victory: Local 49 Secures A Settlement in Minnesota’s First-Ever Public-Sector Unfair Labor Practice Charge

When the COVID-19 pandemic reached our state and began to significantly affect our members in March of 2020, I personally notified all Local 49 employers that this Local would commit…

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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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RSVP for Operating Engineers Local 49 Health Fund Benefit and Health Meetings!

Active/Pre-Medicare Retiree Benefit Meetings   The Operating Engineers Local 49 Health and Welfare Fund will be hosting virtual benefit meetings for all Active/Pre-Medicare Retiree participants! What will be presented at the…

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Brock Keaton Jr. – First Year Local 49 Apprentice

After graduating with a four-year degree, Brock Keaton Jr. is now in his first year as a Local 49 apprentice and says that “this has been the best career choice.”…

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MN Public Utilities Commission approves several wind projects in Local 49’s jurisdiction to be built by Xcel Energy

On May 7th, 2020, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission invited power providers to submit proposals that would aid in Minnesota’s economic recovery.  Xcel Energy responded with a 7 wind repower…

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Local 49 letter of support for Teamsters Local 120 fight to get a fair contract at Marathon Refinery in St. Paul Park.

Click here to read Local 49’s letter of support for Teamsters Local 120 fight to get a fair contract at Marathon Refinery in St. Paul Park.

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January Union Meetings Cancelled

As a reminder, all union meetings are cancelled for the month of January. Local 49 Business Manager Jason George will provide a video update this month to update members on…

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Local 49 Duluth Office Hours of Operation Change

Beginning on Monday, December 28, 2020, the Local 49 Duluth Office will now only be open on Monday’s and Thursday’s from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. However, Duluth members are encouraged to…

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Three Local 49 Signatory Contractors were Award Recipients During the AGC 2020 Award Recognition Week

Congratulations to Atlas Foundation, Park Construction, and Rachel Contracting who each won the Jeff Jensen Memorial Construction Safety Excellence Award during the 2020 AGC Award Recognition Week. Contractors who apply…

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Enbridge Line 3 Project Receives Final Permit to Begin Construction

Today, the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement project received its final permit and the project will now move toward finally beginning construction. Local 49 Business Manager Jason George issued the following…

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Line 3 Receives State Agency Permits

Local 49 Business Manager Jason George released the following statement in response to the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project receiving state agency permits. Today, science, reason and logic won. The…

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Statement to Members regarding cancellation of all union meetings

Effective immediately, and under authority granted to all Business Managers in the nation from General President Callahan, all Local 49 union meetings are suspended for November and December. We will…

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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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Additional Meeting Months for Granite Falls

The Granite Falls union meeting months will now be December – April on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Rock Dining & Event Center, 1940 11th Ave. Granite Falls, MN 56241 at…

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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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