Target Field concessions workers plan June 22 strike
More than 500 Target Field concession workers, organized by UNITE HERE Local 17, announced they will strike on Monday, June 22, 2026, during the Twins vs. Dodgers game if no new contract is reached.[1]
UNITE HERE Local 17 says workers are demanding better health insurance, higher wages, and stronger job protections.[1] The union says Delaware North proposed keeping most workers at the minimum wage and offering only a 50-cent raise for some employees.[1] Delaware North said it plans to continue full-service concessions during any strike and accused the union of "greed," while warning of impacts on nonprofit fundraising groups that work concessions.[1]
The previous contract between UNITE HERE Local 17 and Delaware North expired January 31, 2026. Delaware North and the union met for an initial bargaining session in March 2026, and union officials later said the company canceled subsequent sessions. Delaware North said only one session took place and said it was concerned that a strike authorization vote did not reflect the status of talks.
Delaware North job postings for Target Field in 2026 list pay at $16.37 per hour for seasonal concessions attendants. That figure matches Minneapolis' $16.37 per hour minimum wage for 2026, a gap union leaders cite as part of their bargaining grievances.
The mainstream summary does not address the broader context of labor strikes and union activism that is currently affecting the service and hospitality sectors across the U.S. According to the Economic Policy Institute, there was a notable increase in strikes in 2025, with 306,800 workers participating in major work stoppages, reflecting a 13% rise from the previous year. This trend highlights a growing urgency among workers to leverage strikes for better wages and working conditions amid rising income inequality and affordability challenges.[2]
Additionally, while the summary mentions the wage offered by Delaware North as matching the Minneapolis minimum wage, it overlooks the significant economic pressures facing low-wage workers. Research indicates that despite some wage growth due to tight labor markets, many workers still demand higher pay and benefits due to ongoing cost-of-living pressures and a slow recovery from previous wage stagnation. This context emphasizes the workers' grievances beyond just the immediate contract negotiations.[2]
Show source details & analysis (1 source)
📊 Relevant Data
Delaware North job postings for concessions stand attendants at Target Field list pay of $16.37 per hour for seasonal positions in 2026.
Concessions Stand Attendant, Target Field in Minneapolis — Delaware North Careers
The Minneapolis minimum wage is $16.37 per hour in 2026, higher than the statewide rate of $11.41 per hour.
Minimum Wage — City of Minneapolis
📌 Key Facts
- UNITE HERE Local 17 announced that more than 500 Target Field concession workers will strike on Monday, June 22, 2026, during the Twins vs. Dodgers game if no agreement is reached.
- Workers are seeking better health insurance, higher wages, and stronger job protections; the union says Delaware North proposed keeping most at minimum wage with only a 50‑cent raise for others.
- Delaware North says it plans to continue full-service concessions during any strike and issued a statement accusing the union of "greed" and warning of impacts on nonprofit fundraising groups that work concessions.
📰 Source Timeline (1)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time