It is not clear whether the union will spread the strike to the remaining four hotels. The conflict is reaching a critical point with the opening of the 50,000-strong Alcoholics Anonymous convention June 28, but hotel management is showing no signs that they are prepared to give in to the workers' demands for an end to poverty wages. They are refusing to enter into new talks until the union reduces their demands. Minneapolis mayor Sharon Sayles-Belton, a Democrat, became involved in the final talks before the strike broke out. Since then, she has gone on vacation.
Benefits are also an issue, as management is only agreeing to increase benefits at the cost of pay.
Tentative agreement at New York power utility Consolidated Edison and the Utility Workers of America Local 1-2 reached a tentative agreement that narrowly averted a strike by 10,000 workers who provide power maintenance for New York City and suburban Westchester County. The two sides agreed to resume negotiations a few minutes before midnight June 25 when the old agreement expired. No details were made available concerning the tentative proposal that came after four hours of early morning bargaining. Both the company and labor bureaucracy are touting the agreement prior to ratification by the rank and file. The issues, which had separated the two sides going into the final hours of bargaining, involved sick time, job security, pensions and medical benefits.