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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Andrew Carlson (DFL)

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Rep. Carlson votes to approve legislation supporting the safety, health, and economic security of workers

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Saint Paul, MN – Monday, the Minnesota House approved worker contracts for Minnesota state employees, legislation guaranteeing Earned Sick and Safe Time for all Minnesota workers, as well as a sweeping package of safety protections for workers at Minnesota warehouses, including at Amazon facilities.

“I was honored to be able to support and thank our state workers who have done so much for us,” said Rep. Andrew Carlson (DFL-Bloomington) co-author of the bill. “The Minnesota House has ratified labor contracts, helping these dedicated workers create a better future for themselves and their families.”

The House also approved legislation ratifying the 2020-21 Minnesota Law Enforcement Association contract and the 2022-23 contracts with AFSCME, MAPE, Middle Management Association, the State Residential Schools Education Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and employees covered under the compensation plans (such as the Managerial Plan and Commissioners Plan). The MLEA contract includes a 2.25% across the board increase in FY20, a 2.5% increase in FY21, and incorporates legislative increases that were passed last session.

The other agreements include 2.5% across the board increases for state employees in both FY22 and FY23. The agreements submitted by Minnesota Management and Budget cover nearly 39,000 individuals who work across state government serving the citizens of the state. The bill also ratifies contracts and plans for approximately 4,500 Minnesota State employees and faculty.

The House also approved legislation to require Minnesota employers to provide workers Earned Sick and Safe Time. The legislation would ensure, at a minimum, one hour of paid Earned Sick and Safe Time for every 30 hours worked, up to at least 48 hours per year. Upward of 900,000 Minnesota workers, including two-thirds of workers in the lowest wage positions, lack access to paid time off when they or a family member are ill or need to go to a doctor’s appointment. 

“All workers should be able to take time off to care for themselves if they are ill or injured or for a family member in a time of crisis,” said Rep. Carlson. “This legislation not only helps employees take care of urgent needs, but also makes good business sense. I urge the Republican Senate to consider and pass the House bill immediately.”

Earned Sick and Safe Time can be used to attend to physical and mental health needs – including illness, injury, or a doctor’s appointment – for workers and their family members. Absence following domestic abuse or sexual assault, if a job site is closed, or if a family member’s school is closed are also eligible uses. Sixteen states have adopted similar policies guaranteeing paid sick leave for workers, as have numerous cities, including Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Duluth

Also approved was legislation to protect and empower Minnesota’s warehouse workers and to address practices that have led to high injury rates at Amazon facilities.

“No one should be at risk for injury in the workplace,” said Rep. Carlson. “This measure holds large corporations accountable and impels them to create and maintain a safe environment for every worker.”

The bill also gives warehouse workers access to their own work speed data. Workers may request the past 90 days’ worth of data, and their employer is obligated to share it with them in their preferred language. The same information must be shared with any worker who is disciplined or fired for failing to meet a quota. 

The legislation directs the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry to open an investigation into warehouses with an annual injury rate 30 percent higher than the average rate for Minnesota’s warehouse industry to determine if they comply with these provisions. The employer will be required to hold monthly safety committee meetings until the injury rate at the warehouse in question drops below that level for two consecutive years.

Video recording of today’s floor debate can be found on the House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel.

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