Federal & State Regulations | Unions - Minnesota | J. J. Keller® Compliance Network

State Info

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

Minnesota has specific laws regarding labor relations in private sector employment; however, these laws are not substantially different from the National Labor Relations Act or Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act.

Minnesota law includes the following provisions, among others:

Employers have the right to associate together for the purpose of collective bargaining.
Can be a misdemeanor for operating a motor vehicle in a place of business or employment where there is a clear notice that a labor dispute is in progress.
Blacklisting is prohibited.

Prohibited for employers to spy directly or through agents or any other persons upon activities of employees or their representatives in the exercise of their legal rights.

Employers cannot engage or contract for the services of a person who is an employee of another if the employee is paid a wage that is less than the wage to be paid by the engaging or contracting employer under an existing union contract for work of the same grade or classification.

Right to work

The state has no right to work law.

Captive audience law

Employers cannot require employees to attend meetings or listen to communications about religious or political topics. They cannot take or threaten to take adverse action against employees for refusing to attend employer-sponsored meetings, or refusing to listen to communications, where the primary purpose is to share employer opinions about religious or political matters.