The Minnesota government shutdown has left injured workers with no legal recourse to obtain desperately needed workers’ compensation benefits. Without any conferences or hearings at the Department of Labor and Industry or the Office of Administrative Hearings, injured workers’ are unable to obtain benefits when they have been denied by the workers’ compensation insurer. This is a complete violation of injured workers’ rights under the law.
It is important to let your representatives know that your rights are being violated and we want an end to the government shutdown.
1. Find your Representatives
To find your legislators contact information click on the link below: http://www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts/
To contact Governor Dayton: http://mn.gov/governor/contact-us/
2. Contact Method
- Phone
Mail/Email:
When mailing/ emailing keep in the mind the following to include in your letter:
- Simple and Clear Message – You, the injured worker, has constitutional rights were are being violated which is causing significant harm to you and your family.
- Provide a rationale for why the legislature should be concerned – i.e. hardships, cancelled hearing/conference, loss of medical treatment, loss of income, loss of job due to end of FMLA, worsening of condition, etc.
- What should be done about it – Ending the government shutdown so you can exercise your right to entitlement to workers’ compensation benefits through the Department of Labor and Industry and Office of Administrative Hearings as governed by law.
- Personal, compelling and persuasive. Elected officials respond to pressure from voters. Make sure to humanize the issue in your own words.
Emailing Tips
- Include your name, address and phone number.
- Include Zip Code at the beginning of the Subject Line
- Include in the Subject Line the “MN Government Shutdown”
- Personalize your message to the legislators.
- Do not send the same E-mail to all legislators, put a specific message to your representative or senator.
- Keep it short and simple. If it is long message, letter would be better.
- Individualized postal letters have more perceived influence on undecided Congressional members than either individualized e-mails or faxes.
Sample Letter/Email
Honorable (Full Name)
Minnesota House of Representatives
Room # State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155-1298
or
Honorable (Full Name)
Minnesota Senate
Room # Capitol Building
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155-1606
Subject: MN Government Shutdown – Zip #
Dear Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms. (Surname)/Governor Dayton):
I am a voter in your district, living at : (your address). I suffered a work related injury on (date of injury) with my employer. I am asking that a budget compromise be reached quickly as at the present time I have no legal recourse under Minnesota law to obtain my workers’ compensation benefits. The Department of Labor and Industry and Office of Administrative Hearings, which hears workers’ compensation disputes, are closed as part of the government shutdown. We need an end to the government shutdown.
[Personal your individual letter/email]
As a Minnesota resident, I am entitled to a legal remedy to obtain workers’ compensation benefits including wage loss and medical benefits. With the government shutdown my legal rights have been violated. The government shutdown must end.
Sincerely,
Phone:
Hello, My name is (your name). I am a voter in (legislator names district #).
Bullet points
- Tell your story
- Affects the injury has had on your life, family, work, etc
- How the shutdown has affected you.
- What needs to be done.
The government shutdown needs to end. Voice your concerns and complaints to your elected officials.
Others places to voice your concerns:
