Minnesota’s first unionized indoor rock climbing gym secures significant wage increases and benefits
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2025
Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN – On Thursday, September 11, climbing gym workers at Vertical Endeavors (VE) ratified their first contract with their employer, securing a 3-year agreement and officially joining United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Locals 663 and 1189.
The agreement includes an average of 16.67% wage increases over the life of the contract, paid time off (PTO) for part-timers, and a minimum of 36 scheduled hours per week for full-timers.
“PTO for part-timers is huge,” said Isaac Harris, a worker from VE in St. Paul. “I am a part-time worker. It used to be difficult to afford to take time off. Because of organizing, and especially because of the gym members that supported us, I can take the time off that I need and still get paid.”
“We formed our Union because we didn’t want to wait any longer for more pay, or for more respect at work,” said Esthi Erickson, who works at VE Minneapolis. “We won the improvements we cared about by fighting for them.”
The Union contract covers 96 workers between climbing gyms in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, and Duluth. Workers first organized their Union in August of 2023.
“These workers chose to prioritize improvements for everyone, regardless of status, location, or job class, and their solidarity and determination paid off,” said UFCW 1189 President Adam J Evenstad.
“We’re proud to welcome Vertical Endeavors workers into UFCW,” said UFCW 663 President Rena Wong. “When we organize, we lift up the standards for all workers in Minnesota because every job should mean dignity, respect, and a voice at work.”
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The UFCW International is the largest private sector union in the United States, representing 1.2 million workers and their families in grocery, meatpacking, food processing, healthcare, cannabis, retail, and other essential industries. UFCW members serve our communities in all 50 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico. ufcw663.org, ufcw1189.org, Vertical Endeavors Workers United Instagram