Target Field workers announce planned strike during upcoming Twins vs. Dodgers game
Target Field concession workers announce strike date
Target Field concessions workers represented by the UNITE HERE Local 17 union announced a strike date as contract negotiations with Delaware North continue. Workers are seeking higher wages, affordable healthcare, and job protections.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Target Field concession workers announced they plan to strike when the L.A. Dodgers take on the Twins later this month if their demands are not met.
Target Field workers announce strike date
What they're saying:
Secretary-Treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 17 Sheigh Freeberg said more than 500 concession workers will strike on Monday, June 22, during the Twins vs. Dodgers game if their demands for better health insurance, higher wages and more job protections are not met.
"The responsibility of that lies squarely, squarely with Delaware North Company and the Twins organization that employs Delaware North Company," Freeberg said.
Union leaders said the strike comes after months of contract talks where workers say they bargained in good faith, but Delaware North did not. The union claims the company proposed keeping most workers at minimum wage and offering only a 50-cent raise to others, while rejecting top union priorities.
Union members also raised concerns about faulty equipment and unfair treatment by supervisors and management.
Delaware North statement
The other side:
Delaware North shared the following statement in response to the strike announcement:
"We look forward to continuing to negotiate in good faith a new contract with our valued employees at Target Field. It is our full intention that we will continue full-service concessions at Target Field should there be a strike.
"If UNITE HERE’s greed insists on displacing nonprofit fundraising, we believe the community will be deeply impacted. The decades-long partnerships we have with community groups that depend on concessions at Target Field for fundraising is something that reflect the values of the fans and residents of Minnesota."
The Source: This story uses information shared during a news conference held by Target Field workers and a statement from Delaware North.