Local 17 is a branch of UNITE HERE, an International labor union that combines industrial and textile workers (the former UNITE union) and hospitality workers (the former HERE union). We have over 500,000 members in the United States and are working non-stop to organize more. In the Twin Cities area, Local 17 represents roughly 6,000 workers in hotels, restaurants, bars, caterers, cafeterias, spor
ts complexes, MSP airport, breweries, distilleries and other hospitality-related businesses. Our members are as diverse as Minnesota itself. Approximately 70% of Local 17’s members are immigrants and the majority of members are women. The members of Local 17 speak more than 17 languages and dialects We’re your parents, your neighbors, your friends and your spouses as well as the people who cook meals in restaurants, make beds in hotels, mix drinks in bars and sell hot dogs at ball games. Our members don’t just serve the community, they are the community.
