Minneapolis Council Establishes Labor Standards Board

The Minneapolis City Council has voted 9-3 to establish a 15-member Labor Standards Board (LSB), aimed at giving workers a voice in crafting workplace policies and addressing issues like pay, safety, and equity. The board will include representatives from labor unions, businesses, and community stakeholders, creating policy recommendations for city council approval. While labor groups and several council members support the board as a more democratic approach to workplace regulation, many business groups, including small restaurateurs, oppose it, fearing increased regulation and costs. Mayor Jacob Frey has expressed concerns about the board's balance, suggesting that it lacks adequate business representation. Despite opposition, the council appears to have enough votes to override any potential veto from the mayor. This initiative follows previous city ordinances on minimum wage and sick time, which have already strained local businesses operating on slim margins.