Complaints to a key federal agency are up significantly in Minnesota as union activity this year increased in almost every industry.
From protracted contract talks to picket lines, walkouts and strikes, workers were more vocal this year, leaving onlookers to ponder if 2024 will be as heated.
The activity isn't just in Minnesota. The United Auto Workers talks with the big U.S. carmakers, as well as the writers and actors unions with studios, are frosty. Unfair labor complaints against Starbucks and Amazon have been filed nationwide.
In Minnesota, the 374 complaints filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) during the last 10 months already surpassed the number filed during all of fiscal 2022. Last year's 352 complaints were up 41% over 2018 and 2019 levels.
"We're seeing more and more workers raising their voices about what they're experiencing in the workplace," said Nicole Blissenbach, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, which regulates worksites.
The tight labor market has contributed to the activity.
"It does kind of shift the balance of power and influence between the employee and the employer," Blissenbach said.
Hand in hand with the increase in worker complaints came a big uptick in unionization activity. While there were 44 petitions to form new unions registered with the NLRB in fiscal 2018 and 39 in fiscal 2019, there were 80 last year and 55 so far this year.