MINNEAPOLIS — A union representing more than 300 Minneapolis parks maintenance workers announced they will strike starting July 4 for about a week.
Of course, all this is happening right before a busy holiday weekend. LiUNA! 363 represents more than 300 maintenance and seasonal workers working on parks, pools and playgrounds. They are asking for competitive wages, more safety tools and equitable health care.
Early Tuesday morning, union members said the Park Board told them their offer was final and the best they could do.
“Enough is enough,” said A.J. Lang, the union business manager. “Come back to the table with a fair offer that reflects the value of our work. The power to avoid this strike is in your hands, we are ready to negotiate choices. You do the right thing.”
Lang said he hopes for a conversation in the next day with the board to hopefully come to an agreement and avoid a strike.
“We've been more than flexible,” said Lang. “We've agreed to some eight of their proposals; they've agreed to none of ours. We bend over backwards on the job. When we bent over backwards in negotiations, nothing seems to be enough.
Lang and his colleagues said respect is a main issue that has impacted workers.
“I don’t want to strike, said park keeper Lanel Lane. “I am upset that we're going this far. That they are disrespecting us this much to want us to strike. They're pushing us but at the same time trying to scare each and every worker from striking. We deserve a lot better.”
In a statement, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Bard said they believe their offer is fair. They say they do not expect any closures because of the upcoming strike, and have plans in place depending on how many workers walk off.
The statement from the board said the final offer included a 10.25% wage increase over three years for multiple positions. Prior to that proposal, current average salaries and total compensation, including healthcare, pensions and other benefits for Local 363 positions include:
- Parkkeeper $61,000 ($92,362 total compensation including benefits)
- Arborist $65,000 ($97,008 total compensation)
- Horticulturist $67,000 ($99,331 total compensation)
- Crew Leader $81,000 ($115,592 total compensation)
- Foreman $92,000 ($128,368 total compensation)
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11's newscasts. You'll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
- Add KARE 11+ on Roku here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Roku Channel Store.
- Add KARE 11+ on Fire TV here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Amazon App Store.
- Learn more about the KARE 11+ app for Apple TV in the Apple App Store.
- Learn more about KARE 11+ here.
Watch more local news:
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist: