Music venue workers at First Avenue and six sister music clubs ratify their first-ever union contract

Dancegoers make their way up the stairs under the star of "Purple Rain," July 17, 2009, at First Avenue during the "Let's Go Crazy" dance party to mark the 25th anniversary of "Purple Rain," which was filmed largely at the Minneapolis night club.
Dancegoers make their way up the stairs under the star of "Purple Rain," July 17, 2009, at First Avenue during the "Let's Go Crazy" dance party to mark the 25th anniversary of "Purple Rain," which was filmed largely at the Minneapolis night club. Photo credit (Photo by Anthony Souffle/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT/Sipa USA)

Music venue workers at First Avenue and its six sister clubs have ratified their first-ever union contract.

UNITE HERE Local 17 secured the deal for 230 event and service staff, and Secretary Treasurer Sheigh Freeberg says it includes a lot more than a pay raise.

"Protection for LGBT workers, the employer contractually has to respect the chosen names and pronouns of all employees, and then we have created the Safety and Labor Management Committee where employees and management are going to meet to talk through ways to make things, kind of the communication better and make sure that we're making everything safe," says Freeberg.

Venues entering into the new deal include the 7th Street Entry, Union Depot,  the Fine Line, Fitzgerald Theater, Palace Theater and Turf Club.

Freeberg says it's been a long road since workers first asked for a contract two years ago.

"This is quite a large set of workers," he says. "It's over 230 service and event staff that work at 1st Ave, 7th Street Entry, Depot, Turf Club, Fine Line, Palace, and the Fitzgerald Theater. It spans over two cities, so really it was worker-driven.

Freeberg says the changes will take effect immediately and workers can expect a bump in pay as soon as their next paycheck.

Featured Image Photo Credit: (Photo by Anthony Souffle/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT/Sipa USA)