Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis to Tighten Workplace Regulatory Powers

Published

2 years ago

January 11, 2024

Minneapolis to Tighten Workplace Regulatory Powers

The City of Minneapolis is getting ready to propose a regulatory body to oversee workplace labor standards, an effort which has put the hospitality industry, for one, on edge. Designed to replace the city’s ineffectual workplace advisory committees (WAC), the Labor Standards Board (LSB) would supervise the study of specific industries and propose regulatory change to the city council. The concept has the support of Mayor Jacob Frey, whose office is formulating the function and structure of the LSB.

“The city is looking to be properly advised,” said Frey in an interview this week. “We have roughly 50 advisory boards but there has been a drop-off in participation by business who feel they lacked a voice.” The WACs were an outgrowth of the city’s sick and safe time policies but have failed to accomplish their goal, says Frey, who hopes a more “formalized process” will do so.

An LSB, and the WACs before it, were priorities of organized labor and certain layers of city and elected governance, not business. Though unstated, some are interpreting Frey’s advocacy and leadership as an effort to short-circuit an effort with more draconian impacts on business that might come out of the increasingly leftist, socialist-tilting city council.

Though the proposal is not yet complete, it is expected to be presented to the council as early as next month. The board would function as a clearinghouse of sorts, accepting feedback from stakeholders on specific workplaces or industries, and subsequently deciding whether to convene an industry specific body (a “sectoral work group” balanced among stakeholders) to investigate and make recommendations. The LSB would then have the authority to interpret those recommendations and make policy proposals to the city council, which could choose to act or not act on them. “This is much better than politicians making policy on the fly,” Frey says.

Once implemented the policy apparatus will be nearly unprecedented in its breadth. Labor representatives point to New York City’s longstanding wage standards boards or Minnesota’s Nursing Home Workforce Standards board. But only Detroit appears to have passed legislation (in 2021) analogous to what Minneapolis has in mind.

The city says it is yet unable to offer an exact structure for the LSB or sectoral working groups but emphasized it would be a mix of labor, business, and third parties, which could theoretically be government professionals or outside experts. Business is understandably wary.

“Our stand is what is the problem we’re trying to solve?” asks Angie Whitcomb, president and CEO of trade group Hospitality Minnesota. “Let’s work with city leaders to address them. Minneapolis already has robust worker protections.” Hospitality executives have been meeting with the city because they believe the LSB’s sights are trained on them. Craft & Crew restaurants co-owner David Benowitz penned an op-ed in the Star Tribune stating as much.

Benowitz met with Frey in December and “realized this was not an idea but a formed plan about to happen.” Benowitz believes organized labor, which made efforts in the mid-2010s to try to regulate hospitality at the city and state level, has targeted the hotel and restaurant industry for reform. “They are focused on wage theft, overtime pay, scheduling practices,” says Benowitz. He said Frey assured him the city is mostly interested in problematic workplaces that fail to offer proper training, benefits, and safe and sick time adherence. Frey used safety for window washers as an example of an appropriate use of an LSB.

So this seems to be the distinction: whether the city is merely looking to root out workplace abuses or find ways to micromanage business from a utopian workplace perspective.

Fixed scheduling is a potential point of focus. Restaurants and some hotels practice demand-based scheduling, adjusting work hours on the fly to react to occupancy, weather, and other factors that affect customer counts. Employees who are “cut,” do not get paid. It strikes organized labor as exploitive but is baked into the way the industry operates in the US. Scheduling staff weeks out and then having to pay workers to staff a patio closed by rain adds overhead without revenue. “Our industries operate on razor-thin margins,” notes Whitcomb.

Progressives believe fixed scheduling is just something restaurants would absorb from reduced profits, but the more likely reaction would simply be fewer jobs – a scenario that has already played out in the wake of minimum wage increases. Restaurants would react by running patios using QR codes rather than servers, simplifying menus to reduce kitchen staff, or simply choosing not to expand or operate in Minneapolis, though Whitcomb fears Minneapolis’s rulemaking could become a template that’s adopted in St. Paul and other metro municipalities.

Many Minnesota restaurateurs remember the anti-tipping efforts of a decade ago, led by organized labor, rooted in a theoretical historical orthodoxy which argued tipping was created to exploit women and remained an intolerable practice of bias in the workplace. Tip-based restaurant workers came out broadly opposed to the bans. Subsequently during the pandemic rampant expansion of tipping proved the tide that lifted many service workers toward a better standard of living. Organized labor is no longer broadly advocating for its abolition.

The concern is unintended consequences of well-meaning policies rooted in a utopian sense of how workplaces function, but the labor side insists it’s just the opposite. “It’s really a creative step forward,” says Greg Nammacher, president of SEIU Local 26, which represents 8,000 service workers—predominantly janitors, security, and airport workers in the metro—and has been an enthusiastic advocate for the LSB within the city policymaking apparatus. “Businesses will be at the table with us.”

Nammacher, perhaps with an eye to his audience, presents the concept less as a solution to a problem, than an opportunity for a renaissance for the city, and especially downtown. “The only way downtown thrives going forward is as a high-value experience. Attracting the best workers is not just about the middle class but the service sector, who work for low wages.” Though his workers have collective bargaining, he says there are some topics which either can’t be successfully bargained or require government intervention.

But he insists the LSB concept is an attempt to avoid “one size fits all” rulemaking. Should the idea of fixed scheduling be mandated in the city, industries where it did not benefit stakeholders could be exempted, he says. Nammacher acknowledged the city already has more protections for workers than probably any other municipality in Minnesota but believes an LSB “is good policy” whether workers have representation or not.

Another concern of employers like Benowitz, who does business in both Minneapolis and several suburbs, is dealing with a growing disincentive to do business in the city. This is especially true in downtown, where the surviving restaurants are stressed due to the impacts of work from home. The question is whether additional burdens for hospitality and other stressed sectors would create a renaissance or just deepen the malaise. Nammacher views it as an opportunity to create policy with local flexibility, “because what works in Shoreview may not work in Minneapolis.”

The city and organized labor seem to be asking business to trust them. Were business backgrounds not so widely absent in the council chambers and in much of the policy making side of city hall, they might be seeing a different level of dismay. Frey is quick to push back, noting “my office has been working extensively with business,” on the LSB. He disputes that business lacks an influential voice with the city, noting he spent years as a lawyer for business and believes “we have that perspective in city hall. Does that commentary always work its way to the council? That’s another question.”

Ultimately, Frey says the greatest protection for business in an LSB universe will be that the entity simply won’t work without the participation of business, and business won’t participate if it feels the policy apparatus isn’t fair. “We want the [businesses] that are doing things right to be appointed [to the LSB] and help us find common standards.”

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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis City Council set to take stronger stance against ICE

Published

12 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Minneapolis City Council set to take stronger stance against ICE

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minneapolis City Council will vote on Thursday to bolster a 22-year-old ordinance that restricts police officers from helping ICE agents or taking part in federal immigration enforcement.

Minneapolis’ separation ordinance

The backstory:

The City of Minneapolis first passed its separation ordinance in 2003, following the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and ICE under the Bush administration. Cities across the country began passing laws, including Minneapolis and St. Paul, following suggestions from Attorney General John Ashcroft in 2002 that state and local authorities should act as conduits for federal immigration enforcement.

Among other requirements, Minneapolis’ separation ordinance forbids Minneapolis police from taking part in immigration enforcement or assisting ICE agents. It also prevents city employees from investigating an individual when the only law they’ve violated is being in the United States illegally. City employees are also restricted from inquiring about immigration status except when required to do so by law.

Big picture view:

This week, the council presented a revised version of the separation ordinance with tougher language intended to combat ICE, amid a targeted immigration operation ordered by President Trump focused on the Somali community. In recent weeks, ICE agents have been spotted across the Twin Cities, especially in predominately Somali areas. Just this week, an enforcement operation in Cedar-Riverside ended in a confrontation with ICE agents pepper spraying protesters. During that operation, city leaders say an American citizen was arrested by ICE agents, forcefully handcuffed, and hauled down to a detention center in Bloomington.

The current review of the separation ordinance was sparked by a federal raid in June on a Mexican restaurant that turned out to be a criminal investigation. The raid did, however, spark an anti-ICE protest and a heavy police response.

Minneapolis council considers changes

Local perspective:

The new ordinance declares the city will “vigorously oppose” any attempt to use city resources for immigration enforcement. The revised ordinance also codifies an executive order issued last week by Mayor Jacob Frey restricting ICE from staging operations in city-owned lots, parking lots or ramps.

There are exemptions that allow police to work with ICE or federal authorities for operations like criminal investigations. In those cases, the new ordinance requires police officials to prepare a report detailing the operation and explaining why the city took part and submit it to the mayor, the council, and the public. The ordinance also opposes the government’s practice of hiding the identity of federal agents, saying that working alongside anyone who lacks clear agency identification, who is masked, or conceals their identity or badges would be contrary to the values of the city and harmful to the trust and public safety of city residents.

Dig deeper:

Along with the separation ordinance, council also approved an additional $40,000 in funding for the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota to support legal services for immigrants in Minneapolis. The law center helps immigrants detained by ICE, those seeking citizenship, and provides advice for those at risk of immigration enforcement.

What’s next:

The Minneapolis City Council will meet at 9:30 a.m. to vote on the separation ordinance and other measures on its calendar. The separation ordinance is Item 1 under the Committee of the Whole schedule titled “Employee authority in immigration matters ordinance: Title 2.” We will stream the meeting in the live player above.

Minneapolis City CouncilMinneapolisImmigrationDonald J. TrumpJacob Frey

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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis neighbors unite: Snow emergencies prompt community spirit

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Minneapolis neighbors unite: Snow emergencies prompt community spirit

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Residents in Minneapolis and St. Paul are working hard to manage the aftermath of a recent snowstorm, with snow emergencies still in effect.

Snow removal efforts continue

What we know:

Crews and residents are actively clearing snow from streets and sidewalks.

Minneapolis residents must clear the entire width of city sidewalks within 24 hours to ensure accessibility.

Kevin Gilliam, a local homeowner, was seen snow-blowing his property to avoid dealing with hardened snow later.

“I couldn’t get to it last night when the snow stopped around 8 or 9 o’clock,” said Gilliam. “I wanted to make sure I got the snow up, so it didn’t kind of freeze hard on the bottom.”

Neighbors lend a helping hand

What they’re saying:

Richard Cushing helped his neighbor Robert Young, who recently moved to Minneapolis from Colorado, dig out his car.

Young was initially using a dust pan before Cushing offered a shovel.

“Three things you need for the winter in Minnesota: a good shovel, good tires, and a good neighbor,” said Young.

Cushing noticed Young’s struggle and decided to assist.

“I saw him trying to dig it out with a dust pan. And I thought, I have a shovel in my car, I can probably do better than that,” said Cushing.

“You use what you have. And that’s all I could find in the house. We just moved in here from Colorado, and it’s a totally different snow altogether. And the Colorado snow is light and fluffy, and you just kind of blow it off. This has got attitude. It’s going to hang around,” Young added.

What’s next:

Temperatures are expected to drop – which means cleaning up snow will become more difficult in the coming days.

Winter WeatherWeatherMinneapolisSt. Paul

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Minneapolis, MN

Ell-Saline Splits with Minneapolis to Open the Tri-County Classic

Published

2 days ago

December 10, 2025

Press Room

Ell-Saline Splits with Minneapolis to Open the Tri-County Classic

Picture Courtesy of Jenna Hull

The Ell-Saline Cardinals were at home for the first time this season as they welcomed the Minneapolis Lions to Brookville to open up the Tri-County Classic. The Minneapolis lady Lions took the girls game 51-20 and Ell-Saline won the boys game 51-22.

GIRLS: MINNEAPOLIS 51, ELL-SALINE 20

It was a rough night for the Ell-Saline lady Cards as they struggled to get things going against a tough and physical lady Lions team. Ell-Saline would hang with Minneapolis for the first 4 minutes of the game and had a 5-2 to start the game. The lady Lions started to heat up as they would end the quarter on a 16-3 run and led 18-8 after the first.

The woes continued in the 2nd quarter for the lady Cards as they were held scoreless for the quarter and Minneapolis took a 35-8 lead into the locker room.

Ell-Saline tightened things up in the 2nd half after turning the ball over 21 times in the first half but the damage had already been done. The lady Lions would only outscore the lady Cards 16-12 in the final two quarter but would still coast to a 51-20 win.

Paisley Jensen led the way for the lady Cardinals in the loss as she ended the night with 7 points.

Baylee Randall-Hurt and Riley Robinson both finished with a game high 12 points for the lady Lions as they would dominate inside the paint.

Ell-Saline drops to 1-1 on the season and will continue the Tri-County Classic this Friday as they travel to Belleville to take on the the Republic County Lady Buffs. Minneapolis moves to 2-1 on the season and will take on Bennington Friday night in the Tri-County Classic.

CITY PLUMBING HEATING AND COOLING PLAYER OF THE GAME: Paisley Jensen (7 Points)

BOX SCORE

MINNEAPOLIS (2-1) –18 – 17 – 13 – 3 / 51

ELL-SALINE (1-1) – 8 – 0 – 9 – 3 / 20

Individual Scoring

Ell-Saline – Paisley Jensen 7, Bret Hecker 5, Aubrey Smith 3, Levaya Aulner/Marcella Garber 2, Genna Stetler 1.

Herington – Baylee Randall-Hurt/Riley Robinson 12, Addison Abell 8, McKenna Worlock/Sierra Cossart 4, Haylee Nichols/Addison Doering 3, Miley McClure/Atlee Smith 2, Sarai Auscherman 1.

BOYS: #3 ELL-SALINE 51, MINNEAPOLIS 22

In the night cap it was a completely different story for the Ell-Saline Cardinals as they raced out to a quick lead and never look back as they held the Minneapolis below 7 points in each of the 4 quarters.

The Cardinals actually got off to a slow start before turning it on in the first quarter, they still led after the 1st quarter 20-7.

Senior Reese Krone came alive in the 2nd quarter for the Cards as he would score 11 of his 15 in the period and Ell-Saline took a 36-11 lead into halftime.

Ell-Saline put things on cruise control in the 2nd half as none of the starters played at all in the 4th quarter and for most of the quarter it was JV players and the Cardinals still outscored the Lions 15-11 in the second half. Ell-Saline used a running clock in the 4th quarter to cruise to a 51-22 win.

Ell-Saline was led in scoring on the evening by Reese Krone who finished the night with a game high 15 points. Kas Kramer added 13 points for the Cardinals which included going 5 for 5 from the free throw line. Trey Williams dropped 12 including 2-3 pointers.

Owen Just who is standout scorer for Minneapolis was held to just a team high 8 points on the night as the Ell-Saline Cardinals defense would shut him down for the most part.

Ell-Saline moves to 2-0 on the season and will continue the Tri-County Classic this Friday as they travel to Belleville to take on the the #7 ranked team in 2A the Republic County Buffaloes. Minneapolis moves to 0-3 on the season and will take on Bennington Friday night in the Tri-County Classic.

CITY PLUMBING HEATING AND COOLING PLAYER OF THE GAME: Reese Krone (15 Points)

BOX SCORE

MINNEAPOLIS (0-3) –7 – 4 – 6 – 5 / 22

ELL-SALINE (2-0) – 20 – 16 – 12 – 3 / 51

Individual Scoring

Ell-Saline – Reese Krone 15, Kas Kramer 13, Trey Williams 12, Landon May/Collin Dent 4, Jaxsen Seed 3.

Herington – Owen Just 8, Max Helget 4, Aidan Hessman/Grant Rice/Oliver White/Kingston Deronnet 2, Tanner Norris/Ryan Lott 1.