Park worker strike will not impact Minneapolis' Fourth of July fireworks

Minneapolis park workers plan to go on strike beginning July 4 in an action that could have many significant consequences, almost all of which are more important than fireworks.

Nonetheless, a representative for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) says the strike will have "no impact" on the return of Minneapolis' Red, White and Boom! fireworks display Thursday evening.

Minneapolis' riverside fireworks are returning this year after a five-year hiatus, with plans to launch the fireworks from a secure space between Boom Island and the Stone Arch Bridge. In the intervening years, the city has hosted smaller events and a laser light show instead of the traditional fireworks.

The park workers' decision to strike follows seven months of negotiations with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, which failed to yield a new contract. Union members voted to authorize the strike on June 18, a move that was followed by a mandatory 10-day "cooling off" period before a strike could be called.

When announcing the strike, the union acknowledged that residents could be impacted by the work stoppage, particularly since this is one of the busiest times of the year for the city's parks.

"This decision wasn't made lightly," AJ Lange, Business Manager of LIUNA Local 363, said on Tuesday. "We understand the inconvenience to the community, but we cannot accept unfair treatment that undermines the dignity of our work and the quality of our parks."

Absent an 11th-hour agreement, the workers will begin their strike on Thursday.

The fireworks display is expected to go ahead at 10 p.m., with activities at the downtown Minneapolis riverfront starting from 6 p.m. Rain is forecast for Thursday, but the parks board only severe storms would result in the display's cancelation.

Related: Fourth of July storms could bring big rain totals to Minnesota