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Delta ramp, cargo agents rally as part of union organizing drive

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This is the group’s third time trying to form a union since Delta and Northwest Airlines announced a merger in 2008.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Thousands of Delta workers say they’re on the cusp of forming a union for the first time.

It would include ramp and cargo agents who get your luggage where it needs to go. Except, they’re accusing the airline of trying to put a stop to it.

“Delta isn’t going to quit trying to stop it, so we’re not going to quit trying to get it through,” said worker Robert LaVigne. 

The agents at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport say they have tried to form a union three times since Delta and Northwest Airlines announced a merger in 2008. 

“I think people, after COVID, started realizing their worth,” said LaVigne. “People wanted to have a voice.”

An employee for nearly 15 years, LaVigne can load up to 7,000 pieces of luggage a day. He also moves other cargo, including thousands of pounds of mail and helps push planes back from the gate and park them. 

“Anytime you tell someone you’re a baggage handler they always joke, oh, you’re the ones that lost my bag,” said LaVigne. “I know how good we are at getting bags to where they need to go.”

This go-around, the agents are teaming up with other unions for the first time, including the flight attendants, mechanics and machinists. 

They accuse Delta of union busting tactics, so much that dozens of U.S. Senators signed a letter this month, asking the CEO not to interfere in union organizing activities.

LaVigne hopes the flourishing labor union movement continues, citing the high-profile strikes by Hollywood writers and actors to autoworkers.

“Baggage handling gets a bad rap, but it’s our career and we want to be the best at it and it shows,” said LaVigne.

The group needs a majority of Delta workers across the country to trigger a vote to decide whether to unionize. That could come as soon as September, followed by negotiations and the intent of having a contract in as few as six months.

In response to the rally, a Delta spokesperson wrote in an email to KARE 11, Delta respects our employees’ right to decide if union representation is right for them. We believe our direct relationship with employees has proven to be a stronger, faster, and more effective in driving improvements, which is why Delta employees have repeatedly rejected union representation from AFA and other groups over the past 20 years.”

Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist:

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‘A Christmas Celebration with The Steeles’ shares traditional concert

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In a longstanding tradition, “A Christmas Celebration with The Steeles” will take place at Pantages Theatre on Dec. 21-22. 

This will be the 40th anniversary of the singing siblings concert in Minnesota. The five Steeles have recorded and performed with Prince, Morgan Freeman, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and many more notable artists. 

The Steeles visited KARE 11 News at Noon to share more about their upcoming event. 



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Man shot, officers on leave after incident in western Wisconsin

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St. Croix Tribal police were called to a residence in Webster just before 6 p.m. Monday and encountered a man with a knife. One officer fired his weapon.

WEBSTER, Wisconsin — A man is hospitalized and multiple police officers are on administrative leave following a shooting in Webster Monday evening. 

The Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) says the officer-involved shooting happened in the community of Webster shortly before 6 p.m. St. Croix Tribal Police were dispatched to a home in the 24000 block of Eagle Feather Dr. and upon arrival officers say they encountered a man with a knife. At some point in the encounter one officer fired his weapon, hitting the knife-wielding man. 

DCI says the man who was shot was airlifted to a hospital in Minnesota, where he remains. There is no word on the man’s condition. 

Burnett County sheriff’s officials called in the DCI to lead the investigation into the shooting. The officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave, as is common in most officer-involved shootings. 

Once the DCI investigation is concluded, reports will be turned over to the Burnett County Attorney’s Office to determine whether charges are warranted in the incident. 



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Teen boy dies after being shot outside his home

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The 17-year-old died at his residence despite the attempts of officers to revive him.

MINNEAPOLIS — A 17-year-old boy is dead after a shooting Monday night outside his residence in Minneapolis. 

Minneapolis police said squads responded to reports of a shooting around 7:15 p.m. on the block of 1100 25 St. E. Officers arrived to find the teen victim inside a residence suffering from multiple gunshot wounds 

Officers attempted lifesaving care, including CPR and a chest seal, but the boy died in the home. In a press release, Minneapolis police said they believe the teen was outside the residence with others when shots were fired. He ran into the home and collapsed, police added. 

Homicide investigators are working the case to determine what happened. There have been no arrests as of Tuesday morning. 

“Another act of gun violence and another juvenile shot dead,” Police Chief Brian O’Hara said in the release.  “This senseless act of gun violence has destroyed another young life and left another family with a life of grief. We are asking anyone in the community with information to help our investigators by providing any information they have about this incident.”

Anyone with information about the fatal shooting or those responsible is asked to call Minneapolis police at 612-673-3000. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at this website



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