MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis park maintenance workers will remain on strike as they continue to push for a new contract with the city.
The strike began Thursday, July 4 and was initially intended to last seven days. However, after a week of picketing, no deal was reached between the two sides and LIUNA Local 363, which represents more than 300 maintenance and seasonal workers, announced the workers will remain on strike indefinitely.
"We are united," Business Manager of LIUNA Local 363 A.J. Lang said during a rally Wednesday outside the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Headquarters. "We have each others' backs, organized labor has our back, the community has our back and we will fight until we get a fair contract and the respect that we deserve."
The union is pushing for more competitive wages, more safety tools and equitable health care.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), however, is maintaining that last week's final offer was "very fair," and is calling on the union to allow its members to vote on the proposal.
"A very fair offer has been proposed and 363 leadership refuses to bring it to their members for vote," said MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura during Wednesday night's meeting. "Why won't they bring it for a vote instead of unilaterally holding their members to a strike?"
The 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)
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