Labor

Under a Minnesota law passed in 2023, all employees are entitled to one hour of paid sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked up to 48 hours a year.

The new contract will cover the almost 300 nurses who work for Essentia in the Brainerd lakes area for the next three years.

Plus: A winter-hardy cover crop is being explored as a sustainable jet fuel source; and the Esko girls finished 4th place at the state soccer tournament.

Hundreds of service workers picketed on campuses across the state last week. The two sides jointly announced the agreement late Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.

The maintenance, grounds and agricultural workers at the U's North Central Research and Outreach Center picketed along Highway 169 on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025.

In partnership with Carlton County, stakeholders in the Cloquet child care industry will host a community action session on Aug. 7, 2025.

Essentia Health advanced practice providers ended their strike, but Essentia still refuses to bargain as it appeals the certification of the bargaining unit.

About 235 employees will be laid off as a result, starting Sept. 25, 2025, and Super One will offer employees an opportunity to interview for positions, according to DEED.

Over 400 nurse practitioners and physician assistants across 69 facilities from across Northern Minnesota began an open-ended unfair labor practice strike July 10, 2025.

Essentia Health said it will suspend services at its clinics in Deerwood, Emily and Hackensack if advanced practice providers strike Thursday, July 10, 2025.