Minneapolis’s Surly Brewing Co. announced it’s closing its popular beer hall “indefinitely” as of Nov. 2, but some employees say there’s more to be upset about.
The brewery said beer hall revenue was down 82 percent from this time last year and opening this winter could risk losing another $750,000. Running the numbers amidst coronavirus safety regulations meant “drastic action” had to be taken.
The company declined an interview with WCO Radio, but in a statement called it a “gut wrenching” decision.
But the announcement comes two days after its hospitality employees announced their intent to unionize.
Sheigh Freeberg, secretary/treasurer with UNITE HERE! Local 17, called it “shocking,” “disgusting” and a “clearly illegal” example of union busting.
“Workers understand that the coronavirus has affected the economic viability of the industry,” he said. “Workers understand they’re in lean times. What they don’t understand is why they’re not given a voice in how they’re coming back, or they’re not given the (coronavirus) safety supplies and safety standards. By organizing they were hoping to have a place and have a voice to bring their concerns in a way where the boss has to listen, and they can’t just retaliate against us for pointing things out.”
In the statement, Surly said the timing of the announcement was not ideal for this reason. It said it “respects (employees’) decision to turn to an outside organization for representation, and will continue dialogue,” but it added the decision to close the beer hall was “weeks” in the making.
Three Minneapolis state lawmakers, Rep. Sydney Jordan, Rep. Mohamud Noor and Sen. Kari Dziedzic, in a joint statement criticized Surly:
"By making the decision to close their beer hall after employees chose to organize and form a union, Surly Brewing is engaging in union busting, plain and simple. This is an illegal retaliation against workers from a company that has received millions of dollars in subsidies from Minneapolis and Minnesota taxpayers. We urge Surly Brewing management to respect their workers and voluntarily recognize their union or move to a traditional NLRB election process."
Freeburg said workers at two more Minneapolis establishments have recently unionized: Tattersall Distilling and Spy House Coffee; and Unite Here Local 17 is working with a dozen more that have expressed interest. He hypothesizes that workers, who are doing their jobs face-to-face and sometimes in close quarters during a worldwide pandemic, are taking action.
“It is something that’s gaining steam and people are realizing that they need to stand up themselves,” he said. “They need a voice at the workplace especially now more than ever.”
Freeburg said workers were organizing for the last 2.5 months. A “super majority” of its more than 100 workers signed union authorization cards, he said.
He said workers are still deciding what to do next, which could involve calling for a boycott. They’re still working to unionize.