Minneapolis Public Works employees represented by Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 363 voted on Wednesday evening to authorize a strike.

In a video posted to social media, a union member said LIUNA Local 363 represents over 400 city of Minneapolis employees.

The union also said 98.6% of the city employees voted to authorize a strike.

In a news release Wednesday night, LIUNA Local 363 said that members are “exhausted from staffing emergencies, demoralized by persistent turnover, and affected by staffing shortages…” In recent years, staff members have also been tasked with encampment clean up, where the union said they are exposed to biohazards, infectious agents, needles, human waste and more.

LIUNA 363 said it is bargaining to address staffing issues and the city’s failure to keep up with local area wages.

“Our members’ work ensures clean water, safe streets, well-kept public spaces, and accessible parks,” said AJ Lange, Business Manager of LIUNA Local 363. “We don’t just do our jobs – we keep the city functioning. Yet, despite our critical role, workers feel undervalued and overlooked.”

In response, the following statement was released by the City of Minneapolis on Thursday morning:

“The City of Minneapolis recognizes and appreciates the hard work City staff represented by LIUNA Local 363 conduct each day on behalf of our residents. We continue to bargain in good faith and work toward a fair and equitable contract for these employees. While we are taking necessary precautions and developing contingency plans to minimize disruptions in the event of a strike, our primary focus remains reaching a swift and amicable resolution that avoids such an outcome.”

City officials add they only learned about the vote being held by union workers through news outlets, adding there was no formal notice given to the city about the vote.

LIUNA Local 363 said it will return to mediation on Thursday. There must be a 10-day notice before a strike.

The union said its current contract expired on Dec. 31. City officials say they started negotiating in October and has continued to meet throughout this year. In addition, the City says mediation began on Nov. 3, 2023, and there have been 10 negotiation sessions so far, with another one scheduled.

In a Facebook post from Monday, the union encouraged members to cast their votes.

“After over six months since your negotiating team began bargaining, City of Minneapolis negotiators still refuse to engage in meaningful discussions about worker health and safety protections, sustainable staffing levels and work schedules, and increasing wages to rates competitive with surrounding metro area cities. They continue to stall, deny information requests, and demand concessions. #RespectUsPayUS,” the post reads, in part.