Minneapolis park board, striking workers to return to bargaining table
MINNEAPOLIS — For the first time in weeks, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and its striking workers will be back at the bargaining table.
On Wednesday evening, striking workers showed up to to the park board meeting to call for a return to the table, which was voted down. On Thursday morning they delivered a no-confidence petition to the board, and will return to the table in the afternoon.
The union has been on strike for 22 days, and voted down the most recent park board contract offer.
The union says the remaining issue that needs to be resolved in the new contract isn't about pay. Earlier this week, LIUNA Local 363 said its members were ready to accept the latest pay offer even though it was less than what they originally wanted.
They say the last sticking point of the contract is the board's insistency on contract language that will significantly erode workers' rights and working conditions.
Also at Wednesday night's board meeting, several commissioners authored a resolution directing staff to pursue a prompt settlement and end the strike. Five other commissioners then blocked a resolution, leading to parks workers erupting and disrupting the meeting with chants of "no contract, no peace!"
The union claims the board is now prolonging the strike, harming park workers, their families and Minneapolis residents who depend on their services.
Last week, the board filed an unfair labor practice charge after they say picketers reportedly "harassed and blocked" truck drivers from delivering to park-owned buildings. The union filed the same charge against the board a few weeks ago, claiming the board was using misinformation to undermine the workers.
"I'm definitely tired of it. And a little worried about my financial situation," said Park Keeper Isaac Bruestle. "I still want a better contract and don't know if I can accept what we have now. I am staying as amped as I can and not getting demoralized about it."
The park board says as of Monday, 59% of union workers were reporting to work. They say the July 14 storm cleanup is nearly done in the same amount of time it would take even with workers on strike, which the union disputes, saying it would have been done quicker if the strike had ended.
In addition to Thursday morning's petition delivery, union workers will also picket at Bde Maka Ska's Thomas Beach from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The two sides have agreed to meet on Thursday at 4 p.m.