>>Minneapolis City Council might reconsider after overriding mayor’s veto of Uber/Lyft ordinance
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Star Tribune reports the Minneapolis City Council might reconsider its vote that overrode Mayor Jacob Frey’s (FRIES) veto of an ordinance setting minimum pay for Uber and Lyft drivers — prompting those rideshare companies to threaten to leave the Twin Cities market May 1st. The city council’s agenda indicates there could be discussion Thursday, but any possible vote likely wouldn’t come until April 11th. Governor Tim Walz said Monday, “My hope here is that at the end of the day, we could take a step back and that everybody comes to the [negotiating] table. It is not acceptable to *not* come to the table.” Walz says he certainly wants a fair wage for rideshare drivers, but a recent state study points to a “sweet spot” where rideshare companies could also continue to operate. Meanwhile some Republicans at the State Capitol propose the legislature negate the Minneapolis Uber/Lyft ordinance.
>>Uber plans April 15th closure of only driver service center in Twin Cities
**MEDIA REFERENCE**
(San Francisco, CA) — Uber will be notifying its drivers in Minnesota that it will close its only service center in the Twin Cities — the Greenlight Hub in Richfield — on April 15th. The Star Tribune reports Uber drivers will then have nowhere in the city to receive face-to-face help on renewing documents, getting vehicles inspected and other issues. The letter, reportedly to be sent this week, also restates Uber’s intention to leave the market and stop service at MSP Airport on May 1st, when a new Minneapolis ordinance is scheduled to take effect — unless the city council reverses its decision or state lawmakers intervene.
>>State lawmakers considering $4M for athletes’ food, housing at 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
(St. Paul, MN) — The state would provide four million dollars for athletes’ food and housing when Minnesota hosts the Special Olympics USA Games in 2026, under a bill Minnesota Senate lawmakers are considering. Christy Sovereign, C-E-O for the 2026 Games told a committee this afternoon (Wed), “While the Games will be anchored in sporting activity, we’re really hosting a humanitarian event.” There’s clear support for an appropriation from Madison Lake Republican Rich Draheim, who was overcome by emotion when he said he had an uncle who worked closely with special athletes in Iowa. “It changed his life, his whole world, the experience that he got working with the athletes,” Draheim said.
>>SEIU MN&IA Mayo Clinic Workers Ratify “Wage Opener” Agreement
(Rochester, MN) — SEIU union members at Mayo Clinic’s Rochester Methodist Campus have overwhelmingly ratified a new agreement with 95% approval. It includes a 6% across-the-board raise, and 8% for employees of 20 years or longer. Sterile processing technicians and patient care assistants will receive a 9% and 11% raise, respectively. Most positions will start at or above a $20 minimum wage, with all union members reaching $20 an hour within one year — and all raises will be retroactive to February 1st. The agreement follows several pickets by frontline health care workers.
>>MN AG Office named Top Workplace USA for 3rd Year in a Row
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced today (WED) his office has been named one of the country’s Top Workplaces in 2024 by USA Today for the third year in a row, based on employee feedback. Ellison says creating a positive work environment allows him to recruit and retain “the best and brightest people to help Minnesotans afford their lives and live with dignity, safety, and respect.”
>Megan Thee Stallion Coming to Minneapolis This Summer
(Minneapolis, MN) — Megan Thee Stallion is calling all her followers, know as Hotties, to Minneapolis this summer. She’ll be performing at Target Center May 14th, 2024 as part of her “Hot Girl Summer” tour. Her most recent song “HISS” set a record for the biggest first week for a solo female rap song. Presale is under way, while general ticket sales begin Friday at 10 a.m.
