Delaware North concession workers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport have voted to authorize a strike.
Delaware North employs roughly 70 workers, represented by Unite Here 17, at the airport. The union announced on Monday that 100% of members voted in favor of the authorization, which could result in a strike being called as early as Oct. 31.
“Minnesota is very expensive. The cost of living is so high, especially rent which is my biggest expense,” Agnes Jebadai, a baker for Delaware North at the airport, said in a statement. “I work two part-time jobs and only sometimes have money left after I pay my bills. But I have to provide for my daughter and my mom who lives with me. That’s why I voted yes to strike.”
The union members are covered by a national agreement that will expire on Halloween. The union says workers are looking for free health insurance and wage increases in their new contract “so they don’t have to choose between paying the rent and putting food on the table.”