submitted by rodriguc@augsburg.edu
From OPEIU Local 12:
“Dear Local 12 members,
We are devastated to share the shocking news that our beloved staff member Molly Thul unexpectedly passed away this week. Molly was the most senior employee at Local 12, and played a critical role in working with membership to transform our local from a sleepy, passive organization to a deliberate, organized, fighting union.
Molly grew up in Burnsville and began working in foodservice at MSP airport as a teenager. Over the decades at MSP she became a committed union activist with UNITE HERE Local 17, serving as a steward and campaigning to bring in a new generation of leadership at Local 17. She later became a staff rep for Local 17, and OPEIU Local 12 hired her in 2020. Molly began at OPEIU the week COVID shutdowns began, and handled that unexpected situation with professional aplomb, along with many other difficult surprises that arose over the years.
Molly leaves behind a teenage son and daughter, and is also survived by her father and two brothers, along with many other loving friends and family members. Local 12 will provide information about services or memorials once they are announced by the family.
If your unit has been represented by Molly, please email eboard@opeiu12.org for now with any questions or issues regarding representation or bargaining. Local 12 will work with OPEIU International to best determine next steps for these groups. Local 12 is a small organization with only 3 full-time staff members so things may be a bit chaotic or slow for the next few weeks as we sort everything out.
Sending everyone the best in love and solidarity,
Your OPEIU Local 12 Executive Board and Staff”
Feel free to also reach out to Augsburg Staff Union Team if you have any questions.