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Photo: Laura Markwardt
Shar Knutson has been elected president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, becoming the first woman to lead the state’s largest labor federation. Knutson was widely expected to face off against two other challengers for the post: Bill McCarthy, president of the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, and Mary Kathryn Ricker, head of the St. Paul Federation of Teachers. But only McCarthy and Knutson were ultimately nominated, with the latter prevailing on the first ballot.
“It’s a lot of different emotions all wrapped up in one,” says Knutson. “I’m excited and looking forward to it.”
The leadership vote was prompted by the retirement of current AFL-CIO leader Ray Waldron. He will step down in October after nine years in the post. The decision on who will serve the final year of his term was made by the AFL-CIO’s 70-member general board. The labor federation represents roughly 300,000 workers across the state.
Knutson has been president of the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation for the last decade. Prior to that she worked as a policy analyst for St. Paul mayor Jim Scheibel.
Knutson says playing a role in the 2010 governor’s race will be a priority for the organization. She does not expect there to be any lingering hard feelings within the federation from the contested election.
“I wish to work with all the unions and all the board members and have reached out to them,” she says. “There are times when we may not always agree but we come together.”
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3 Comments »
Comment posted August 18, 2009 @ 10:36 am
How can the Unions stop corporations from dumping employees and benefits to move to third world countries where labor/costs are lower?
They can’t.
Unions had their day in the 40’s – 70’s, when it was people against the corporations. Then, they were destroyed politically. Now they are simply “democrats”, and allow the corporations to run roughshod over their constituents.
Like the current employment climate? Thank a union man.
Pingback posted August 19, 2009 @ 7:35 am
[...] women are making advances not just as candidates, but in leadership roles, as well. On Monday, the AFL-CIO elected Shar Knutson as the first woman president of the organization. The AFL-CIO is the state’s largest [...]
Comment posted August 21, 2009 @ 10:14 am
It is about time! Now we can really move ahead with strong and progressive leadership. Unions in this state will again make a come back. We have 30% of the workforce now, and I bet it will double during the next 4 years.
Then we can rule the way we should have been doing since the 80’s. No more fat cat CEO pay at the expense of us poor working stiffs. Minimum wages in this state need to rise to provide a fair living wage. People should not have to need public assistance if they have a job. If you work, you should be paid at a level that means you are a valued member of society, not some low life who is valued at next to nothing.
Shar will bring about prosperity again for all working people. And we won’t have to play second fiddle to any non-union scabs ever again!
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