Target Field Gets Creative Over Concessions Worker Shortage
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Target Field was so short on concession workers this past weekend that they had to bus in 150 workers from Milwaukee and Chicago.
The concession jobs are all union and pay from $11 to $14 an hour.
The Twins say they are not getting applicants to apply. Both the team and the Hospitality Workers Union blame Minnesota's low unemployment rate which, at 3.7 percent, is one of the lowest in the nation.
The Twins are responding with a social media blitz advertising a job fair this Thursday. The news broke on social media, after the Twins last weekend had to bus in concession workers from other states.
There was immediate pushback from some Twin Cities activists. One Facebook post accused the Twins of not reaching out to community groups to help fill openings. But the Twins insist the problem is Minnesota's low unemployment rate.
"We just don't have enough applicants. If you can pass a drug test and a background check, you have a very good chance of being hired here," Matt Hoy, the Twins' senior vice-president for operations, said.
Applicants who can't make the job fair can also apply online with the company the Twins contracts with for concessions. Jobs include cooks, dishwashers, cashiers, and in-seat vendors. But it's not just Target Field that is having trouble.
Unite Here Local 17 -- which represents 5,000 local hospitality workers, including those at Target Field -- says the worker shortage is severe.
"As we move into this summer season, we have shortages all over," Union Here Local 17's political director Wade Luneburg said, "in hospitality, in restaurants, hotels, the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport, the convention center, and these sports facilities."
Last year there were allegations that a temp agency the Twins used to try and fill concession jobs was not paying and turning away workers who showed up at the stadium. This year the Twins have eliminated the temp agency and say, if you're hired, you will work.
"Come on down," Hoy said. "We would love to have you work at Target Field."
The Twins say the work schedule generally involves roughly six-hour shifts on days when Twins have home games. The minimum age is 16.
To learn more about the opportunities available, or to apply, visit Delaware North online.