Must see

What’s the point of a social conscience if there isn’t an audience to parade it in front of? Inspired by French bouffon-style comedy, three clownishly colorful friends embrace extreme virtue signaling in a series of short, irreverent, high-energy sketches that skewer “Minnesota nice” and satirize Minneapolis liberalism. Two white homebuyers in North Minneapolis fret they might be gentrifiers — until they put up a “science is real/love is love” yard sign that seemingly exonerates them. Unwilling to intervene without knowing his politics, a pair of kayakers debate saving an injured man wearing a “Trump ’24” hat and “Black Lives Matter” T-shirt. The creators, each boosted by professional training in physical theater, bring high energy to an otherwise minimalist set with topics ranging from the fundamentally uncomfortable to the delightfully cringe-worthy. Not for kids.

Presented by Shambles Theatre Company at HUGE Improv Theater; 2:30 p.m. Aug. 4, 7 p.m. Aug. 5, 8:30 p.m. Aug. 7, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 8

Still trying to decide what to see? Check out all our Fringe reviews at twincities.com/tag/fringe-festival, with each show rated on a scale of Must See, Worth Considering, Could Be Worse or You Can Skip.

The Minnesota Fringe Festival is presenting more than 100 hourlong stage acts from Aug. 1–11 around Minneapolis. Visit MinnesotaFringe.org for ticket and show information.

Related Articles

Minneapolis park workers represented by LIUNA Local 363 approved a new contract on Thursday.

Negotiators for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the union reached a tentative deal last week, putting an end to a historic 22-day labor strike, the first in the MPRB’s 141-year history.

The contract nets union members a 10.25% cost of living wage adjustment over the next three years in addition to an immediate $1.75 per hour raise and expanded benefits.

“Our members’ sacrifices and solidarity yielded more than improved wages and benefits. We reaffirmed that Minneapolis is a union town,” LIUNA Local 363 Business Manager AJ Lange said in a statement. “This victory extends beyond our union, demonstrating the power of working people when they stand united.”

The full Park Board is expected to approve the contract at its Aug. 7 meeting.

“The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is excited to move forward and continue providing great service to our park users and residents of Minneapolis,” MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura said in a statement. “Parks are about people, and we have always counted on hard working employees. We are glad resolution was reached and we can move forward.”

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Minneapolis park workers approved a new contract with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Thursday after striking for 22 days. 

What’s in the new contract?

According to a press release from LIUNA Local 363, the union that represents the park workers, union members voted “overwhelmingly” to approve the new contract. 

Here is what is included in the new contract: 

Wages

• 10.25% cost-of-living adjustment over three years.
• $1.75/hour market adjustment.
• $2 million in wages for workers.
• Wages will increase by $5.42 an hour or $11,302 a year on average by 2026.
• Preserved automatic step increases.

Workers rights

• Protected existing steward rights.
• Kept full negotiating rights.
• Maintained grievance process.
• Kept existing drug testing standards.

Benefits for workers

• Expanded contract rights around sick and bereavement leave.
• Protected fair overtime distribution.
• Kept Forestry transfer rights.

Safety

• “Harmful” language taken out.
• Workers are protected from reporting requirements and targeting.

Seasonal employees

• Kept union rights for all seasonal workers.
• Doubled comp time benefits.
• Guaranteed permanent positions nearly doubled.
• Protected seasonal full-time schedules.

The MPRB is expected to officially approve the new contract at the Aug. 7 board meeting. 

What they’re saying

LIUNA Local 363 Business Manager AJ Lange released the following statement regarding the new contract: 

“Our members’ sacrifices and solidarity yielded more than improved wages and benefits. We reaffirmed that Minneapolis is a union town. This victory extends beyond our union, demonstrating the power of working people when they stand united.

“We stood up against anti-worker, union busting at the Park Board and sent a clear message all workers deserve dignity and respect.

“Our members’ courage and resilience is truly inspiring and I’m proud to stand beside them. Their sacrifice and solidarity carried this fight.

“This contract fight is only part of our shared struggle for dignity and justice for the working class. Together, we’ll build on this momentum to create stronger, more equitable workplaces for fellow working people.

“To everyone who supported us—joining picket lines, contacting commissioners, signing our petition, and donating to our hardship fund—your solidarity made a crucial difference. This victory belongs to all who stood with us.”

MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura said in a statement, “The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is excited to move forward and continue providing great service to our park users and residents of Minneapolis. Parks are about people, and we have always counted on hard working employees. We are glad resolution was reached and we can move forward.” 

Background

The union representing more than 300 park maintenance workers announced the strike just ahead of the Fourth of July holiday and extended the strike after saying the initial offer from MPRB wasn’t enough. 

Read more: Minneapolis park workers extend strike ‘indefinitely’, demand negotiations

The strike was reportedly authorized by 94% of union members back in June.