Recent content from Dee DePass
Minneapolis City Council votes to delay start of rideshare wage ordinance
The council voted unanimously Thursday to push the start date of a new policy to July 1, saying it will give new rideshare companies time to start up and fill gaps if Uber and Lyft leave the city.
Uber, Lyft drivers support Minneapolis City Council's postponement of pay ordinance
They also introduced two new rideshare companies that could be entering the Twin Cities market.
If Uber, Lyft leave Minneapolis, nearly a dozen rideshare firms ready to fill the void
Companies ranging from startups like Elam Baer's MyWeels to Empower and Wridz have invested in Minnesota.
Uber, Lyft drivers using Hertz program told to return cars, leaving gap before May 1 pullout
The move leaves drivers wondering what their future options will be.
Minnesota carnival operator ordered to pay $210K in back wages for breaking H-2B visa laws
The company, along with an associated food vendor, plan to appeal the ruling, their lawyer said.
Winona auto parts maker to close, will lay off about 125 workers
BCS Access will cut the jobs in the second half of the year; its engineering operations so far will not be impacted.
Finding a ride after May 1 will take patience if Uber and Lyft pull out of Minneapolis
Taxi cab firms might hire some drivers, but it will take a while to build back an industry that has pivoted to medical and student contracts since the mega rideshare companies entered the Twin Cities market.
A group of Activision video game workers voted to unionize. More than half are in Eden Prairie
The group joins other Microsoft workers to form the largest union in the video gaming industry.
Twin Cities nursing home employees walk off the job
About 1,000 nursing home workers and supporters picketed in front of the Estates at St. Louis Park on Tuesday morning, part of a one-day walkout of employees from a dozen senior facilities.
4,000 janitors went on strike Monday, and about 1,000 nursing home workers plan the same on Tuesday
The SEIU and their employers did not reach contract settlements; pay is the big issue.
Minnesota drivers say economics of Uber, Lyft don't add up
While the ride-share companies say they pay fairly, elected officials could mandate minimum wages.
Security guards, Target janitors reach labor agreement
Strike looms Monday for another 5,400 workers.
Janitors and security guards at Target, airport, sports venues set to strike next week
Four bargaining sessions remain before thousands of employees walk out over better pay and improved training.
Home Depot on New Brighton Blvd. penalized for firing worker with 'BLM' written on work apron
The National Labor Relations Board ordered that the worker be rehired and issued back pay.
Two Burnsville cops, paramedic shot and killed; gunman dead
The first responder was trying to help one of the wounded officers when shot, police said. The shootings happened after an hourslong standoff following a domestic abuse call.
Twin Cities Uber, Lyft drivers take part in global Valentine's Day strike for better pay
The drivers turned off their phone apps as a protest against work conditions.
Two Twin Cities translation service centers for the deaf closing, 50 losing jobs
Layoff announcement came the day some workers had scheduled a meeting with a union.
Twin Cities Lyft drivers hopeful but wary of company's new pay structure
The company said it will guarantee that drivers receive 70% of fares, after fees.
Slower wage growth might be good for the economy, but not everyone is celebrating
Workers and advocates say there's a disconnect between policy and reality.
Hennepin County launches new unit to crack down on wage theft, other employer wrongdoing
The county attorney's office hired Minneapolis labor enforcement head to lead the effort.
Minneapolis' Peter Michaud now leading Ballard Spahr nationwide
He plans to expand the 600-attorney firm and use technology to improve the company's future.
Planned Parenthood, new union reach agreement for first labor contract
After a contentious unionization effort and 37 negotiating sessions, the contract will now go to union members for a vote.
Minnesota fines Menards for penalizing employee for pumping breast milk
Minnesota labor regulators say the store in Fridley docked the worker's pay 103 times and suspended her after she complained.
Minnesota files $3M wage theft case against Evergreen Acres Dairy in Stearns County
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said it is one of the largest wage theft cases undertaken in the state.
Soderberg's Floral, a Minneapolis landmark, closes after nearly 100 years
Customers and community groups said the shop buoyed the neighborhood and helped nearby businesses survive the 2020 riots.
U.S. Attorney's Office claims Denny Hecker's ex-wife failed to pay all of ordered restitution
Andrew Luger has asked the court to order Rowan to turn over financial documents.
Thrivent CEO is not afraid to bring her authentic self to work — or make hard decisions
At her five-year mark at the helm, Terry Rasmussen has overseen big changes at the Fortune 500 firm, but acknowledges many more are needed.
Minnesota minimum wages rise Jan. 1. Are employers ready?
Hourly wages will increase 38 cents to $15.57 for large Twin Cities businesses.
Federal suit alleges Richfield grocery stores owe more than $500K in back wages
Department of Labor demands the two stores pay $508,000 in back wages and damages for falsifying payroll records and denying 51 employees overtime pay.
Minnesota seeking $2.4M from Viking Lakes subcontractors accused of wage theft
The state is asking an administrative law judge to endorse its findings, which include wrongdoing at the Eagan site and 18 others.
Target asks HQ employees to work periodically in downtown Minneapolis
Target is calling its headquarters workers back one week per quarter.
This holiday season, Minnesota companies are partying like it's 2019
Companies are investing again in holiday parties and staff events, with ripple effects for the Twin Cities area economy.
Pottery Barn on St. Paul's historic Grand Avenue will close
The area business association president said the closure is "incredibly frustrating and does not represent the overall strength of Grand Avenue."
Probation for Princeton contractor who denied aid to man injured by nail in eye
The apartment building contractor received two years of probation and is banned from future state and federal contracts for insurance fraud.
Minnesota's inaugural racial equity index shows progress, but gaps remain
The Center for Economic Inclusion issued its first Racial Equity Dividends Index after 22 cities and counties had their economic development practices evaluated.
Wage theft in Twin Cities costs low-wage workers $86M a year, study finds
Rutgers University analyzed five years of data from the metro area to come to its conclusions.
We forgot our manners during work-from-home — how to relearn office etiquette
Pros offer Office Etiquette 101 lessons as workers return to their desks.
Thrivent spreading prestigious art collection to office walls to entice workers back downtown
While managers get to choose artwork for their walls, employees also can weigh in on pieces hung near their cubicles.
St. Paul's Center for Economic Inclusion using more than $1M in grants to expand
The center will grow to nine cities thanks to $1.6 million in grants from Google and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Geri Joseph, Hubert Humphrey speech writer and DFL leader, dies at 100
She accumulated an impressive array of awards and job titles and molded generations of Democrats.
Autism Job Fair works to connect employers with people on the spectrum
Bremer Bank, Andersen Windows, Metro Transit, MHealth Fairview, HyVee, Minneapolis Police and others participated in what is believed to be the first Autism Job Fair in Minnesota.
As new development by Allianz Field nears, backers seek $22M from St. Paul
The group proposing the $160 million United Village development in St. Paul's Midway asked the city for $21.6 million for infrastructure improvements.
Want to know if your degree from a Minnesota college is worth it? Check out state's new tool
A new Minnesota data tool tracks wages won seven years after getting that degree and lets you factor in student loan debt.
Minnesota car dealers brace for impact as UAW expands strike to Ford's largest plant
The strike reaches the automaker's factory in Louisville, Ky., where 8,700 workers walked off the job Wednesday.
Minnesota contractor pleads guilty to insurance fraud after nail injures employee's eye
Nelson Israel Lopez Giron, the owner of wood-framing firm Giron Construction, tried to claim the employee wasn't his.
Mortenson launches new scholarship to draw students into construction industry
New Mortenson Co. program provides five low-income students with two-year $30,000 scholarships to Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis.
Picking employee benefits can be confusing — here's where to start
Employees must soon elect their benefit choices for 2024. Higher health care costs and greater choices introduce new complexity for Minnesota workers.
Minnesota's biggest law firm appoints first woman president in its 75-year history
Melodie Rose took over this week from John Koneck, who will stay at Fredrikson & Byron as a practicing attorney.
Minnesota steps up efforts to help employers fill jobs as tight labor market continues
State and local officials kicked off Workforce Development Month at a massive job fair in north Minneapolis, as the governor traveled to the Iron Range.
United Auto Workers strike expands to locations in Twin Cities area
Facilities in Plymouth and Hudson, Wis., are among the 38 locations added across 20 states.
Minnesota unemployment rate ticks up a bit as more people reboot job searches
Minnesota employers added 4,400 jobs in August. At the same time, more people re-entered the workforce, boosting the unemployment rate.
Minnesota factories, dealerships brace for trickle-down effects from UAW strike
Minnesota auto suppliers such as Twin Cities Die Castings and dealerships think a broadened or lengthy strike could have big economic repercussions.
Inflation rises again, and Twin Cities residents are feeling the pinch
Gas and shelter prices continued to rise in August, pushing up consumer prices by 0.6% for the month and 3.7% so far this year
DEED's jobs website for unemployed Minnesotans hacked
The Department of Employment and Economic Development has notified jobseekers of the unauthorized access to information in the MinnesotaWorks.net website.
Defense Dept. to buy Edina firm's drug for radiation exposure that could also treat long COVID
Humanetics received a $20 million Department of Defense contract to develop the drug to prevent long-term damage from radiation.
Federal worker complaints rise with union activity in Minnesota
National Labor Relations Board complaints this year in Minnesota and nationally are already above full 2021 and 2022 levels. Organizers expect even more in 2024.
Amazon partners with Minneapolis company for warehouse-safe hijabs
The idea came out of the Brooklyn Park facility, which unveiled the hijabs this week.
Blandin Paper Co., Teamsters reach deal to end strike in Grand Rapids
The union has been on strike since July 15, demanding better wages.
Rosemount Aerospace will pay $712K to settle charges it discriminated against Black job seekers
The company cooperated with a Department of Labor compliance review that found discrepancies.
Bloomington-based Star Choice and SharePoint credit unions will merge
The merger creates the eighth-largest credit union in the Twin Cities.
Older workers face hurdles in job searches even with historically low unemployment
Minnesota seniors say they have faced discrimination in hiring. Job counselors say they definitely have a harder time finding jobs.
Spire and Hiway are merging to create Minnesota's fourth largest credit union
Spire and Hiway Credit Union will merge, get new name and rank 4th largest in Minnesota
Minneapolis skyway loses another one: Taco John's closes
The restaurant served its last customer Friday afternoon, the closure the latest casualty of the struggling downtown lunch scene.
Plans to develop neighborhood around Allianz Field move forward again
After seven years, plans to redevelop the area around the Minnesota United stadium will begin in September. The redevelopment group led by Bill McGuire refiled plans for United Village with the city of St. Paul this week.
Diversity progress stalls at the top of Minnesota companies
The number of women in leadership has stalled at Minnesota public companies, and growth in diversity at the top has slowed. More, Minnesota's behind national norms.
U.S. Bank sees early gains as it integrates MUFG Union Bank customers
U.S. Bank executives in Minnesota discuss MUFG customer integration and how bank's deposits were affected by bank failures in New York and California.
Blandin Paper, union workers in Grand Rapids back at the negotiating table after strike
Over 160 workers at the Grand Rapids, Minn., plant, members of the Teamsters, are demanding better wages and staffing levels.
A happy spirit and love of family drove Delia Roca, 101, through hardship and change
The Philippines native made Minnesota her home after being widowed at 40. She died June 23 at age 101.
Ruling could affect corporate diversity policies in Minnesota
Some Minnesota companies say they will stay committed to their diversity, equity and inclusions policies, but some who track the issue say the Supreme Court ruling on Harvard admissions policies could cause companies to re-evaluate them.
Minnesota employers sprint to rewrite marijuana policies
Chambers of commerce and attorneys are fielding questions on how to craft the policies as they approach Aug. 1, when recreational marijuana use becomes legal in the state.
Trying to draw workers back, Minnesota companies redesign offices to feel more like home
One employer included an indoor park. Others are including more flex space and ditching high-end conference rooms for appealing kitchen space.
In their own words, Minnesota workers reflect on how COVID changed their careers
Employees tripped up by COVID-19 workplaces adjust.
Hybrid edicts causing tug of war between Minnesota companies, workers
Tension is rising as companies try to figure out the post-pandemic office routine.
Eagan business owner made it through COVID with help. Now he's championing mental health
David Moeller, CEO of Inside Edge Commercial Interior Services, has rolled out a plan for his 250 workers and is now working with other companies to do the same.
