Minneapolis parks and recreation workers strike for better wages – The Minnesota Daily

On July 4, employees at the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Complex began a strike for pay increases after collective bargaining with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) failed.

About 40 percent of the workforce attended the first protest. Further protests are planned from July 4 to 10. The union is dissatisfied and has decided to continue the strike indefinitely, said spokeswoman Liz Xiong from the local branch of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA).

“There was no progress and our members felt they could not be satisfied with this,” Xiong said. “We deserve more. The only way to be heard and earn the respect we deserve is to continue striking.”

According to the Trust for Public Land, Minneapolis’ parks are consistently ranked among the best in the country, ranking second in 2024. Still, employee pay has stagnated, Xiong said.

Park employees such as gardeners and park rangers are responsible for park maintenance throughout the city.

Negotiations began in early 2024 but stalled after the MPRB submitted its final offer of a 10.25% increase over the next three years, which would cost $4.7 million. Since the strike began, LiUNA has made a counteroffer of 16%, valued at $7.5 million.

MPRB said in a opinion that workers’ wages are “fair and just” and their “last, best and final Offer” is acceptable.

However, the focus of the strike is not only on wage increases. LiUNA also demands better social benefits and better working conditions.

Robin Smothers, spokesman for the board, said the company is and remains a great employer that offers fair compensation.

“MPRB leadership remains committed to being an employer of choice,” Smothers said. “We are committed to providing fair, equitable compensation and benefits to all MPRB employees.”

As the strike continued beyond the originally planned one-week duration, both the strikers and the parks felt the impact. The strikers went without pay and city maintenance was slowed as a result.

After a severe thunderstorm on Sunday, Minneapolis experienced power outages due to fallen trees. The strike delayed the removal of the fallen trees.

Xiong said the impact of their strike had not gone unnoticed by workers.

“The intention from the beginning was to minimize the impact on the park community,” Xiong said. “The employees are absolute park fans. Like grown-up versions of little boys and girls who saw someone working in the park and immediately knew, ‘That’s who I want to be.'”

Support for the striking workers also reached the Minneapolis City Council: Councilmember Robin Wonsley (Ward 2) released statements in support of the protests and discussed plans to join them.

On July 16, the Minneapolis City Council will vote on a resolution introduced by Wonsley and Councilman Jason Chavez (Ward 9) supporting the union’s efforts but reiterating the need for further negotiations. Talks are likely to continue, but both parties expressed hope that the strike will end soon.

“We are optimistic and hope that we can return to the negotiating table and have productive negotiations,” Xiong said.