Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy Named “Infrastructure Champion” for Advocacy on Behalf of Minnesota’s Skilled Workforce

Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy Named “Infrastructure Champion” for Advocacy on Behalf of Minnesota’s Skilled Workforce

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — October 10, 2025 — Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL–St. Paul) has been named an “Infrastructure Champion” by the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) in recognition of her leadership in advancing policies that strengthen Minnesota’s skilled construction and energy workforces.

The honor, announced Wednesday during LIUNA’s annual Infrastructure Summit, highlights Murphy’s efforts to promote family-supporting jobs, improve worker safety, and expand investment in infrastructure across the state. LIUNA represents more than 500,000 skilled workers nationwide, including thousands of Minnesotans in the construction, transportation, and energy sectors.

“It is an exceptional honor to be named a LIUNA Champion,” said Majority Leader Murphy. “Moving a budget and creating family-supporting jobs for highly skilled construction and energy workers is our job. It is critical to our state’s economic success.”

Recognition for Legislative Leadership

Murphy was praised for her role in advancing legislation that has directly benefited Minnesota’s infrastructure workforce. LIUNA credited her leadership in crafting and supporting policies that expand access to good-paying union jobs and enhance the long-term stability of Minnesota’s infrastructure economy.

The Majority Leader emphasized the essential role of collaboration between labor and lawmakers in achieving those outcomes. “When critical infrastructure jobs are in the hands of skilled Minnesota union members, we build long-term prosperity for families and for our state’s future,” she said. “I’m proud of the work that we have done together, knowing what it means to our state and to working Minnesotans.”

Policy Impact and Partnership

Murphy pointed to the partnership with LIUNA as instrumental in securing key legislative victories over the past year. These include significant investments in transportation and public infrastructure projects that have generated job growth and spurred economic development statewide.

Additionally, the collaboration has advanced mental health initiatives for construction and energy workers—addressing the high rates of stress and injury in those industries—and supported efforts to remove and replace thousands of lead-contaminated pipes threatening Minnesota’s drinking water systems.

Context and Broader Significance

Murphy, who became Senate Majority Leader in 2024, has been a prominent advocate for working families, labor rights, and equitable economic growth. Her leadership has been central to the DFL majority’s push to modernize infrastructure while ensuring that investments benefit Minnesota’s skilled workforce.

LIUNA’s “Infrastructure Champion” award is presented annually to public leaders who demonstrate exceptional support for the union’s mission of building strong communities through infrastructure development and fair labor standards. Previous Minnesota honorees have included members of Congress and state lawmakers recognized for their commitment to union labor and public investment.

About LIUNA:
The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) is one of the largest and most diverse labor unions in North America, representing more than 500,000 members employed in construction, energy, and public service sectors.

MinneapoliMedia