Striking park workers in Minneapolis present counterproposal amid strike

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board says a counteroffer from their striking workers will increase costs by nearly $1 million this year.

The park administration said it received the new proposal from park workers union LIUNA Local 363, which will cost a total of $800,000 more. The union’s previous three-year proposal cost $6.7 million, the administration said.

The new proposal would cost $7.5 million over three years, compared to the park service’s offer of $4.6 million over three years.

The park administration said it had submitted its last, best and final offer, which includes a 10.25 percent pay increase over three years and two market adjustments for 13 positions.

The counteroffer was a complete package, which, according to the park administration, means that “rejection of any part of it is tantamount to rejection of the entire offer.”

Park officials say they are still waiting for the board’s official response to the offer.

“We remain committed to serious negotiations at the bargaining table and approach proposals in good faith,” said AJ Lange, executive director of LIUNA Local 363. “If the park administration is genuinely interested in resuming talks, we expect them to reach out to us through the appropriate channels, as we have. We will focus our efforts on productive negotiations.”

The two sides will meet with a mediator for negotiations at 11 a.m. on Monday.

The employees were on strike for more than a week and is demanding better wages and benefits. The workers are responsible for maintaining the city’s parks, the regularly among the best in the countryThe union represents just over a third of the city’s full-time and seasonal staff.