UFCW Local 663: Vertical Endeavors Workers Organize

With 81.8 percent voting in favor, workers at five Minnesota climbing gyms operated by Vertical Endeavors have voted to organize with the United Food and Commercial Workers union.

Results of the mail-in vote conducted by the National Labor Relations Board were announced November 29.

The bargaining unit will include 90 workers at Vertical Endeavors locations in Bloomington, Duluth, Minneapolis, and Saint Paul plus Vertical Endeavors- Twin Cities Bouldering in Saint Paul.

“We unionized because we want better pay and healthcare, and a voice in the decisions that are going to affect employees and customers,” said Hailey Jarmon team coach/counter rush at Vertical Endeavors in Bloomington. “I hope that more rock climbing gyms unionize so standards are raised for how employees are treated. We deserve it.”

The workers will be represented by either UFCW Local 663 or UFCW Local 1189, depending on location.