Minneapolis park board, workers resume negotiations
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board met on Monday with striking workers to resume contract negotiations.
The park board said it received a counterproposal from the union which will cost $800,000 extra this year. Park workers said they're still waiting to hear the board's reaction to that offer.
"We remain committed to serious negotiations at the bargaining table and addressing proposals in good faith," said AJ Lange, LIUNA Local 363 business manager. "If the park board is genuinely interested in resuming talks, we expect them to reach out through proper channels, as we have done. We will focus our efforts on productive negotiations."
The park board said it presented its last, best and final offer, which includes a 10.25% wage increase over three years, plus two market adjustments for 13 positions.
The union's counterproposal would cost $7.5 million over three years, compared to the park board's offer of $4.6 million over three years.
"We're hopeful, but our strike is still in full force. Full steam ahead," Lange said.
He says leftover storm debris, including several city trees downed on roofs and yards, are one of many reasons a contract agreement needs to happen fast.
"They need to get back to work, get roads passable and keep everyone safe, residents and workers alike," Lange said.
The delayed clean-up is cause for concern for some Minneapolis residents.
"I'm waiting to see what's going to happen because I use this park, this lake, daily for my three-mile walk," Kris Brostrom said.
He's waiting to see what happens on the picket line, as city workers have been on strike for most of the month.
"The goose stuff is really the main thing," Brostrom said. "The trees I can walk around, I'm not too bothered about that. If trash starts to build up that's where I would obviously have a problem."
Arborist Nick Grebe told WCCO on Monday that residents want park workers back on duty with a fair deal.
"We deserve better. Minneapolis deserves better. Give us a fair contract. We want to go back to work," Grebe said.
Minneapolis City Council members plan to vote on a resolution supporting striking park workers on Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the city council chambers. MPRB postponed its Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday in part due to the "seriousness of the ongoing Local 363 negotiations."
Workers have been on strike for 11 days, calling for better pay and benefits. The workers are tasked with maintaining the city's parks, which are consistently ranked among the top in the nation. The union represents a little more than a third of the city's full-time and seasonal staff labor staff.
