High-rise condo workers rallied in downtown Minneapolis on January 31. (Photo: Isabela Escalona)
High-rise condo workers rallied in the rain at the River Towers in downtown Minneapolis on the morning of July 31 to send a message to their employers: They have set a deadline of August 14 for a strike over unfair labor practice alleging management is refusing to turn over information needed for bargaining. The workers are fighting for their first contract, and they say their employers have been stalling for months on negotiations.
“We are fighting for a comfortable life and job we can be proud of,” said Marque Thompson, a desk attendant at River Towers and member of the bargaining committee for his union, SEIU Local 26.
About 30 people huddled under two tents in the pouring rain in front of the building. The crowd chanted, “Let the bosses clean the dog shit!” Workers held signs in teh shape of high-rise condos that read, “Ready for ULP strike” and, “Condo workers are building good jobs.”
Thompson told the crowd that workers want “fair wages, good health care.” He said, “One of our workers has been here for 20 years. There was no retirement plan for him. They’re saying they care about the workers, but when we mention him getting some retirement, we’re getting a lot of pushback on that.”
On July 17, workers voted to authorize a ULP strike “in response to their employers’ failure to bargain in good faith,” according to a press statement from SEIU Local 26. The workers are employed by the River Towers Association, the La Rive Condominium Association, and the Riverview Condominium Association. They are fighting for the first-ever union contracts for in-house workers in high-rise residential buildings in the Twin Cities. They are hoping that such contracts can raise standards across an industry known for low wages and difficult hours.
Workers first went on strike at the River Towers in 2022, they have been trying to bargain jointly across buildings to boost standards industry-wide, rather than on the individual level. Their battle for union recognition has involved two successful efforts to change state laws regarding restrictive covenants and non-competes for condo workers.
Workers cover their buildings 24/7, help residents with a broad assortment of tasks. They also deal with a host of emergency situations, like health crises and building access for emergency responders. They are hoping to use the bargaining process to win improved wages, job security, and affordable healthcare plans.
“We can actually have a set base standard across the board for everyone, so you don’t have people coming in where they’re getting paid less than what they were told in general about the job, or like they don’t know the standard,” said Rashaun Wills, who is employed by the River Towers Association.
Minnesota Representative Esther Agbaje said at the press conference, “The desk staff who make downtown condo living possible deserve a fair contract to improve their lives and ensure stability at work. Building and sustaining a strong downtown requires supporting workers who serve our residents and visitors everyday.”
Greg Nammacher, the president of SEIU Local 26, said workers are heading back to the bargaining table on Monday. According to a statement from SEIU Local 26, workers are prepared to strike on August 14 if their concerns are not addressed by that time.
Wade Luneberg, a resident at River Towers, noted at the event that janitors have union contracts and security officers downtown have strong contracts. He pointed to a post office across the street and noted that the workers there, too, have union contracts. “So should the front desk workers at the River Towers,” he said.