This is where we will post updates on political happenings in our state that affect our trade or other labor issues that we need help with, as well as any new information for the upcoming 2025 Legislative Session.

BLUE COLLER NEWS! Here you will find updates from the Montana Labor Movement - from the shop floor to the State Legislature, we've got you covered. Hosted by Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small.

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House Bill 2 (HB 2) The increases in HB 2 will help caregiver wages keep pace with inflation, so providers can continue serving their communities and delivering care to the folks who are counting on it. TELL LAWMAKERS: VOTE YES ON PROVIDER RATE INCREASES IN HB 2! Click here

Senate Bill 7 (SB 7), Montana’s law enforcement officers protect our communities with courage and commitment. But last session, politicians broke a promise — raising the retirement age and pulling the rug out from under officers who have already served for decades. Tell Governor Gianforte: keep Montana’s promise to law enforcement. Sign SB 7 and do right by those who’ve protected us Click here

Senate Bill 345 (SB 345). Montanans work hard, and when someone is injured on the job, they deserve to be treated fairly. But SB 345 takes us in the wrong direction, giving even more power to insurance companies and creating new obstacles for injured workers who are just trying to recover.Tell your legislator: Vote NO on SB 345 and protect Montana workers. Click Here

2025 SUCCESS!

SB 376 - Right To Work Bill - This extreme legislation would slash wages, endanger workplace safety, and silence workers' voices. Right to Work doesn’t create jobs — it only makes it harder for workers to negotiate fair pay and benefits. States with these laws suffer from lower wages, higher injury rates, and weaker communities. Montanans believe in fair pay, safe working conditions, and the freedom to stand together. Update 3/1/2025 - the Senate Business and Labor Committee voted against SB 376 in a 5-7 vote. On the Senate Floor, Senator Noland attempted to blast the bill from the committee and bring it to the floor. That motion failed by a vote of 18-32.

Senate Bill 94 (SB 94) threatens the ability of employers and workers to negotiate contracts that meet both sides’ needs. The bill wastes tax dollars, burdens managers with more red tape, and makes government less efficient. Now is the time to take action. UPDATE: 2/20/2025 SB 94 was defeated in the Senate by a vote of 21-29! 

House Bill 131 (HB 131) would reduce the duration of unemployment benefits from 24 weeks to 20 weeks, placing Montana among the bottom states for unemployment insurance coverage. This change will harm hardworking Montanans who lose work through no fault of their own. Defeated in House Approps.

SB 277 will be heard tomorrow morning in Senate Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs and is another direct attack on the rights of Montana’s workers. Across Montana, public sector workers—nurses, educators, law enforcement officers, and state employees—are facing a direct attack on their freedom to collectively bargain for fair wages, efficient public services, and safety on the job.  Tabled in Committee