The Twin Cities has seen historic changes this month as more than 200 workers across seven venues owned by one of the largest names in entertainment, First Avenue, have formed a union with UNITE HERE Local 17, and the backing of the Restaurant Opportunities Center.
The move is significant for workers’ rights in the Twin Cities, as this union joins forces with the nation’s first hospitality workers union, which has been assisting restaurant and hotel workers since 2004. This union is also the largest of its kind in Minnesota, representing about 1,200 local workers in the hospitality and retail industries.
This move is a remarkable victory for workers, as it provides them with a seat at the bargaining table, ensuring that their voice is heard. The union will advocate for better wages, benefits, and workplace protections for its members.
For many of the employees of First Avenue, the move represents a chance for them to build a better future for themselves and their families. As part of the union, these workers will gain access to benefits and rights that they might not have had in the past, such as the right to collectively bargain for higher wages, improved working conditions, and job security.
In a statement, UNITE HERE Local 17 president Leslie Hotaling said, “This is a huge victory for the workers of First Avenue. By joining together, they are setting an incredible example for other workers who want to fight for a better and more secure future for themselves and their families.”
The move is also a victory for the Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC), a nonprofit organization that has been advocating for fair wages, benefits, and workplace rights since 2000. ROC was instrumental in helping the First Avenue workers form the union, providing them with advice, support, and resources.
ROC president Saru Jayaraman commented, “We are thrilled that First Avenue workers have come together to form a union with UNITE HERE Local 17. This is a huge step forward for the rights and wages of these workers, and for the hospitality industry in the Twin Cities.”
The move is not only a victory for First Avenue workers and for the Twin Cities, but also for the labor movement as a whole. By forming a union, the workers of First Avenue are showing the power of collective action and the importance of standing together for better wages and working conditions.
This is a powerful example of what can be achieved when workers join together and fight for their rights. The move also signals that the labor movement is alive and well in the Twin Cities, and that workers are committed to creating a more equitable and fair hospitality and retail industry.
