Schweitzer invited the state’s union leaders to the governor’s mansion Jan. 11 where he introduced his guests to members of his cabinet, other agency officials and the executive leadership of the Montana Democratic Party.

Union leaders discussed issues of concern to their members, including economic development with good-paying union jobs, affordable healthcare, retirement security and a higher minimum wage.

“I can’t remember a time when a Montana governor opened his home to organized labor,” said Jim McGarvey, executive secretary of the Montana AFL-CIO who also is an AFT vice president and chair of the AFT Public Employees program and policy council. “The governor has created an environment that allows people from all walks of life to share their ideas.”

Gov. Schweitzer has been an outspoken defender of employee rights. He made headlines across the state in February when he blasted right-to-work laws, which he characterized as “worn out, tired” solutions that amount to “right-to-work for less.”

He also supports increasing the state’s minimum wage to $6.15 an hour with additional increases tied to annual cost-of-living adjustments.

“There was real energy at the governor’s reception, real hope, and a sense of coming opportunities to work together,” McGarvey said, noting that the unions represented public employees, the service sector and building and industrial trades. “Organized labor was there with one voice.”