Emails reveal Timberwolves pushing back against unionization efforts
Earlier this month, in-house audio and video crew for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx revealed they informed management of their intention to unionize with the IATSE Local 745.
When the team chose not to voluntarily recognize the union, the group of approximately 50 workers filed for an election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). With the election on the horizon — votes are expected to be tallied on Dec. 10 — the team is pushing back against the unionization effort.
Two emails sent to the unionizing staff, shared with Bring Me The News, show the organization encouraging members to vote against unionization.
A view of the jam-packed Target Center before Game 3 of the 2024 WNBA Finals between the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty.
Will Ragatz | Bring Me The News
"While we respect that it is an employee's decision, we believe that maintaining the existing direct relationship with our team is in everyone's best interest," reads an email sent by Timothy Jones, senior manager of broadcast and game day technology. "We hope that after you have had the chance to consider all of the information, you'll make the decision to VOTE NO when your ballot arrives."
The emails, which include an FAQ on unionization from the team's perspective, push familiar narratives used by companies faced with organizing efforts, such as the loss of direct communication, discussion of union dues, and that negotiations do not guarantee a pay increase.
"If your job with the Teams is one that becomes represented by the union, you should assume you will have to 'pay to stay' and if you don't, the union would insist that you be fired," says one email.
"They're doing what we call union busting," Charlie Cushing, business representative for the IATSE Local 745, tells Bring Me The News. "They try to convince people why it's not good to have a union... It's disappointing, but unfortunately, we expected it from [Glen Taylor] and the Timberwolves."
He adds that the team has obtained the services of the law firm Felhaber Larson, the same firm that worked with the team during a unionization effort in 2016–17.
The emails go on to express "concern" that employees would lose a "direct working relationship" with the team if unionized. "We believe that electing a union would actually take away employees' individual voices and transfer them to the union," one email states.
It additionally warns employees that "[w]ages, benefits, and working conditions could get worse as the result of good faith negotiations" should they vote in a union.
One of the driving forces behind the unionization effort has been "sporadic" and infrequent raises, employees say, claiming that there have been only three raises for their positions since 1989, one of which came around the time of unionization efforts in 2016 and the other shortly after similar positions with the Minnesota United voted to unionize in 2022.
The Timberwolves implemented a fourth raise for these positions in late October, a move that "preceded any knowledge of an effort by IATSE to unionize this group," the team says in a statement provided to Bring Me The News.
"The Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx respect the rights of our part-time arena broadcast technology employees to organize, but we believe maintaining a direct relationship is the best way to support our employees," the team says in the same statement. "We will continue to support our arena broadcast technology employees and will respect any decision and outcome of a vote about unionization."
Despite the full-court press from the organization, workers are confident they have the votes. "[I]n 2017, the Timberwolves were able to successful[ly] persuade us to vote no, so fighting back against union-busting tactics will be crucial," says crewmember Josiah Wollan.
It's a sentiment echoed by Cushing. "We feel good. We wouldn't have moved forward with an election if we didn't feel like we had a really strong majority, and we feel like we're there right now," he says.
In addition to consistent wage increases, organizing workers say they are looking for minimum guaranteed call hours as well as health and retirement benefits.
