Landis Larson, President and Secretary-Treasurer of the North Dakota ALF-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the effect of low wages on the state’s workforce.
The North Dakota AFL-CIO represents about 16,000 members.
The political climate in North Dakota is not union friendly. The state’s $7.25 minimum wage, which mirrors the federal minimum wage, does not bring workers into the state. The unemployment rate is at 2.5 percent, but just over half of all workers (51 percent) work more than one job because they do not earn enough money, Larson said. Attracting people to North Dakota is an issue. For example, a factory in Pembina, closed because it did not have enough workers.
As a result, the North Dakota AFL-CIO and its affiliated unions are in the midst of an organizing push. Larson noted there is more organizing in the area than he has seen in a long time. This is important and it is needed.
The Federation is also working to help families with the cost of childcare. Many people now stay at home with their children due to the high cost of childcare instead of going to work, he said. They have urged state legislators to subsidize childcare. In a meeting, the President of the Minnesota Federal Reserve agreed with the North Dakota AFL-CIO that there needs to be subsidies for childcare.
Listen to the interview to learn more about these topics.