Labor Development Regarding Vikings Stadium

I know I probably haven’t been doing a good enough job of keeping you up-to-date on stadium ongoings for a few weeks now.  There are two reasons for that:

1. I’m not a Minnesota resident, and don’t feel it is my place to tell residents how to spend their tax dollars.
2. For quite a while now, most of the “news” have come off the lips of politicians and P.R. gurus.  I’d rather buy stock in Italian cruise liner companies than the words that come off of these guys’ lips.

Still, when I look up into the sky and see something that appears like it might be legitimate smoke, I will always be sure to pass along the information.

Today’s (or rather yesterday’s) tidbit that caught my eye is that the Vikings, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, and local labor groups have come to an agreement regarding the construction and operation of a new Vikings stadium.

According to Viking Update, an agreement has been reached in which a new stadium would be built using union labor, and that concession stands could possibly be operated by union labor, too.

While this reeks of dirty politics and legal racketeering, the move is a significant one in that the Vikings would likely gain support from the general public (you know, in case a vote is eventually needed) when it comes to their stadium efforts.  However, the price of a six ounce Miller Light may have just went from $7 to $13.

The next step is for the Vikings to commit to a hiring agreement that would focus on hiring women, minorities, and workers from poverty stricken areas of Minnesota.

Say what you will about this development, but the point here is that there are people still putting forth a serious effort and taking major steps towards keeping the Vikings in Minnesota.  Actions speak louder than words, and this is the closest thing to action as we have had in quite some time.