The Minneapolis Public Health and Safety Committee on Tuesday received recommendations to expand worker rights training and reviewed several city safety and health programs.

The committee heard a presentation from the Workplace Advisory Committee recommending creation of a "right to pay training" program that would allow Minneapolis workers to attend one hour of employer-paid training on their workplace rights. Taylor Chevy, lead organizer at the Center of Workers United in Struggle, said the training would help workers understand protections against wage theft, discrimination and retaliation.

"The more workers who know about their rights under the city ordinances, the more likely they are going to be able to flag problems," said Brian Elliott, executive director of SEIU Minnesota State Council, who outlined the three-component recommendation. The proposal would establish training content, certify organizations to deliver training, and create mechanisms to inform workers of their rights.

The committee also received updates on the city's health equity initiatives from Health Department Manager Pao Thao, who described training programs for staff on racial equity, health literacy and gender inclusivity. The department has trained more than 90 staff members on health literacy and established learning sessions on topics ranging from lead testing to waste reduction.

Deputy Community Safety Commissioner Jared Jeffries presented on the city's restorative services, which include approximately $5 million in programming. The city is finalizing a pilot program with the NAACP to address nonviolent neighbor disputes through mediation. The presentation also covered victim services provided through 16 contracts with community organizations and staffing within the City Attorney's Office, Neighborhood Safety Department and Minneapolis Police Department.