
Travelers passing through Minneapolis-St. Paul International this holiday season can congratulate the airport’s food service-workers on a new union contract.
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Travelers passing through Minneapolis-St. Paul International this holiday season can congratulate the airport’s food service-workers on a new union contract.

Striking baristas at three Twin Cities locations plan to rally Dec. 20 at 2305 Fairview Avenue in Roseville.

“A lot of us are just at our breaking points collectively, and we feel like we have done everything we can to avoid getting to this point,” Dr. Nick VenOsdel, a pediatrician at the Hastings clinic, said. “The time to fight is now.”

Members of Workers United Local 150 walked off the job Oct. 9, accusing their employer, Twin City Tanning, of refusing to bargain in good faith.

The bargaining unit of 80 workers is escalating their campaign for a new contract that delivers wage gains and longevity bonuses.

Hospital representatives have outright refused to engage with the union’s staffing proposals – members’ top priority – during negotiations, leaving nurses feeling demoralized and disrespected.

Union leaders described a trend of “more punitive discipline than legitimate corrective action” doled out to members in recent years.

“Going on strike will still be financially challenging, but at least workers won’t be starved back to work,” one union member said.

“How many more good people will we lose because of the low pay, lack of benefits and ongoing disrespect?”