Minneapolis Public Works Employees Win Historic Contract

Minneapolis, MN —  Today, Minneapolis Public Works employees represented by LIUNA Local 363 delivered a successful vote to accept a new labor contract with the employer. Among the key features of the ratified contract is a historic nearly thirty percent wage increase over the next three years. AJ Lange, Business Manager of LIUNA Local 363 released the following statement. 

“This historic contract was achieved through the tireless efforts and countless hours of hard work by the bargaining team, our strike committee, and every single member who volunteered their time to fight for a better future for all of us. I'm continuously impressed by the hard work and dedication of our members, and I'm truly honored to represent them.”

LIUNA Local 363 won the biggest wage increase for the local ever, and the union secured important health and safety protections for members, seniority rights, limits on temp workers, holiday pay for dual certifications, greater union rights and protections, and established a means of addressing staffing and scheduling problems. Local 363 also staved off attacks on promotional and detailed pay guarantees, task assignments, and other attempts by the City to undermine workers’ contractual rights and benefits.

While the new contract marks a historic achievement for LIUNA 363 workers at the City of Minneapolis, the union’s work is not finished. Lange says, “This victory shows that when we are united in solidarity with our union brothers and sisters, we have the power to win. When we stand together, we can't be ignored. When we fight, we win.”

Laborers will continue to fight for more equitable and affordable health care, to achieve fair treatment on the job, to implement unbiased and reasonable drug testing procedures, and to solve long-term staffing and scheduling issues.

Following the issuance of a 10-day strike notice by Local 363 on February 22, the City provided a revised offer. Both sides returned to the bargaining table  February 27. Contract negotiations are down to the wire. Check back for updates.

February 23, 2024

Dear Members,

On Wednesday, February 21 we turned out in historic numbers and voted nearly 99% in favor of authorizing a strike. With this commanding “YES!” vote, your union bargaining committee returned to the table on Thursday, February 22 with the leverage to demand a fair contract. Thank you to everyone who turned out to vote and stand in solidarity at our press conference. Your commitment and dedication to this fight has been truly inspiring.

To avoid missing our deadline to file a strike notice, we decided it was necessary to deliver the notice by hand, in person, with the mediator as a witness, because the City had not responded to our request for permission to deliver it electronically. The notice was received and certified by the Bureau of Mediation Services in accordance with Minn. Stat. 179A.18, Subd. 1 and 3. This provides us the legal right to initiate a strike anytime between 12:01 A.M. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 and 11:59 P.M. on Monday, March 25, 2024.

However, the Executive Board has NOT called a strike at this time.

The City provided us with a revised offer late in the day on Thursday, February 22 that gives market adjustment wage increases for all job titles. Your bargaining committee considers this an incomplete offer because it does not fully address major concerns regarding health and safety protections, sustainable schedules and staffing, seniority rights, OT and 7th day pay, promotional and detail pay guarantees, year round “temp workers”, protecting labor rights, and affordable, equitable health insurance. We return to mediation next Tuesday, as required by law. We are hopeful that we can reach a settlement, but we will not settle for anything less than what you deserve.

HOLD THE DATE: March 4th    |    4:00 PM - 8:00 PM    |    (LOCATION TBD)

We will hold a meeting to provide a negotiation update and discuss our next steps. We may have an offer to vote on. We can also use the meeting to make final strike preparations. 

We are not alone in this fight. In addition to the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation AFL-CIO strike sanctions, yesterday afternoon the Teamsters Joint Council 32 officially approved strike sanctions for LIUNA Local 363. If we strike, these union allies will honor our picket line. Local 363’s collective power is strengthened by our shared fight with all working people.

We will continue to provide you with additional information as negotiations progress. Thank you for your continued support.

In Solidarity,

AJ Lange
Business Manager

BMS strike notice

Chartered on January 26, 1920, by the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), LIUNA Local 363, a.k.a. City & County Employees Union of Minneapolis-Saint Paul & Greater Minnesota is based in Minneapolis and led by Business Manager AJ Lange. 

About  Local 363

The local is responsible for:

  • Enforcing rights under collective bargaining agreements
  • Assisting members in finding employment through its referral service or hiring hall
  • Providing apprenticeship and training programs
  • Enforcing legal rights, such as those extended to workers under the National Labor Relations Act
  • Promoting job safety as guaranteed under OSHA
  • Protecting against discrimination in employment by enforcing both contract rights and legal rights such as those found in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act

Local 363 is governed by an Executive Board and serves nearly 1,000 members and active retirees and their families across the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Metro and Greater Minnesota.

Local 363 members are proud of their work maintaining the City of Minneapolis' and the City of Saint Paul's water, sewer, streets, bridges, traffic signs, parking ramps, parks and urban forest.

Local 363 supports a variety of organizations and causes, including the Laborers' Charitable Foundation.

For more information, visit Local 363 on Facebook here.

Uptown sink hole crew

 

Local 363 Contact Information
Office Address
LIUNA Local 363 Office
312 Central Avenue SE
55414 Minneapolis , MN
 
Business Manager
AJ Lange, Business Manager
 
Phone Number
612-272-3074

YOU MATTER & YOU'RE COVERED

As an eligible participant to your employer's Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), mental health resources are available to LIUNA Local 363 members and your eligible family members. You don't have to face your troubles alone, no matter how big or small. Help is readily available to support you through any challenges you may be facing. 

Learn More About LIUNA Local 363 EAP Resources

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