Minneapolis park workers vow to continue strike indefinitely

There appears to be no end in sight when it comes to a strike involving Minneapolis park workers after union leaders blasted the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board during a rally Wednesday afternoon outside the park board's headquarters.

According to the park board, the strike that began Thursday, July 4th involves 40% of the more than 300 MPRB workers represented by LIUNA Local 363. The seven day strike was scheduled to end Thursday, but was extended indefinitely during Wednesday's rally where workers slammed the park board for their so-called inaction.

"We gave [MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura] and the park board seven months, we gave them seven days on this strike, and we asked repeatedly, every day, for them to come back to the table," said LIUNA Local 363 business manager, AJ Lang. "But they refuse to meet with us."

The MPRB said it extended its "last, best, and final offer" that included a 10.25% wage increase, market adjustments, annual contract steps, and two pensions translating into a nearly $5 an hour raise for many employees.

The park board's offer would reportedly cost $4.6 million over three years, while the union's proposal would cost $6.7 million over the same timeframe.

Lang said the park board isn't telling the truth in saying it would need to raise taxes to meet the union's wage increase demands.

"They claim that they are broke and blame workers. They say they'd have to raise our taxes in order to pay us a fair wage. The truth is, they've been raising taxes. Every single year they request the maximum tax levy and they raise taxes. They're making a choice not to invest it in their workforce."

Park maintenance services have been adjust at Minneapolis parks to minimize the strike's impact on park visitors. At least three concerts have been canceled since the strike began and the park board may close golf courses and pools, if necessary.

Lang added that young summer workers are now being asked to do jobs they shouldn't be doing.

"This isn't what they signed up for, or what their parents signed them up for to be leaned on as replacement workers to cross a picket line and be thrust into the middle of this contentious labor dispute. It definitely raises some ethical questions. They don't have the same training. I've been told they've been seen not just picking up trash, but needles in parks. I don't know what else the park board is willing to subject this young workforce to."

That park board is asking LIUNA Local 363 to have its members vote on its final offer before heading back to the negotiating table.