Minneapolis parks workers strike begins Thursday
MINNEAPOLIS — As promised, hundreds of Minneapolis parks workers walked off the job on Thursday, starting a 10-day strike that coincides with one of the busiest times for parks in the city.
With no new date set for continued contract negotiations with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, workers represented by LiUNA 363 say they had no choice but to go on a weeklong strike.
"I wish it didn't come to this," said AJ Lange with LiUNA. "We're fighting for what? Just and basic fairness for these workers."
If the "Red, White and Strike" goes beyond a week, pools close, storm debris will not be picked up and golf course and playing fields will not be maintained.
Workers say they need affordable health care and have safety concerns when it comes to their jobs. They also want better wages.
"It's clear that these workers are paid upwards of ten dollars an hour less than their counterparts in other cities around the metro area," Lange said.
In a statement the park board says it has given its best and final offer — a 10.25% raise increase over three years in addition to two market adjustments for 13 positions.
The board says workers who go on strike will not be able to return to work until a new contract has been reached.
The union says that's not legal.
"What they are threatening to do, even the threat itself is illegal and we're prepared to file an unfair labor charge with the public relations board of Minnesota," Lange said.
What these union workers say they want most is to return to the parks they love to maintain after sitting back down with the park to hammer out a fair contract.
Several other unions were on hand to offer support both on the picket line and financially. A strike fund has been set up to help workers who do walk the picket line.