Recent content from Dee DePass
Thousands of Minnesota white-collar workers now eligible for overtime pay
In Minnesota, an estimated 10,000 workers are expected to benefit from rule changes that mainly apply to lower-wage executive, administrative and other professional employees.
Uber, Lyft competitors confident about future in Twin Cities
Several companies are either signing up drivers or already operating as options grow for customers.
At Wells Fargo site destroyed in riots, construction finally underway on affordable housing complex
Housing nonprofit Project for Pride in Living is leading the Lake Street project that combines affordable rentals with space for businesses owned by people of color and a new Wells Fargo branch.
Devean George's north Minneapolis modular housing factory will open in fall, employ 320
The $29 million project will be in a former printing press near the Minneapolis Public Market.
Minnesota summer jobs still ripe for the taking
Employers are looking for hundreds of young workers around the state.
Union calls off strike after reaching a tentative agreement with New Hope nursing home
SEIU-represented workers at St. Therese had planned to begin a five-day walkout Saturday.
After surprise sale, New Hope's St. Therese nursing home facing another strike
About 200 workers initially went on strike for one day in March alongside about 800 other nursing home workers from a dozen Twin Cities facilities. St. Therese was the only one to not agree to a new contract, and Compass Healthcare announced its intent to purchase the home last week.
Bye-bye cubicles and corner offices: Reserving a desk for the day is new work trend
Here's tips on how to successfully deploy and work within the "hoteling" concept, which eliminates permanent desks in favor of flexible, shared spaces.
'At the end of the day, DEI is about innovation,' says U.S. Bank executive
Chief Diversity Officer Greg Cunningham says it's been proven that practices lead to growth.
New overtime pay rules start July 1. Employers say that's too soon.
While several business groups bemoaned the change, employment advocates and job placement experts applauded the update, saying it was long overdue.
At one point, Black income grew the fastest of any race in Minnesota, but disparities persist
The 2008 Great Recession hit Black Minnesotans the hardest, and it took them the longest to recover. Such income disproportion concerns Black leaders, state officials and economists who noted half of Black wage earners in the state still don't make enough to live comfortably.
A tale of two Lake Streets: One recovering, one frozen in 2020
Four years after George Floyd's murder, Lake Street sees progress, but there are many stalled projects such as the former Gandhi Mahal Restaurant building.
Ryan will equip worksites with Narcan as more construction companies address mental health
The Minneapolis-based developer worked with a White House effort to address overdoses. The industry has one of the highest rates of opioid abuse, federal statistics show.
Minnesota bankruptcy law firm files for bankruptcy after losing fight with another bankruptcy firm
The St. Cloud firm, one of the oldest bankruptcy law firms in the state, lost a fight involving Google Ads.
Richfield construction subcontractor sentenced for insurance fraud
Fabian Espinosa, owner of Richfield-based Fabian Espinosa Construction LLC, faces three years' probation.
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.
