Isn’t it great that Milwaukee has a progressive-minded, social-justice-oriented, pro-science, pro-labor…bounce house? Yes, yes it is.
Anyway, the forever-awesome Bounce Milwaukee (2801 S. 5th Ct., 414-312-4357) announced today that it plans to reopen in September, and that it’s hiring now. About that last part: Bounce Milwaukee also announced today that it has worked out a “landmark workforce and labor agreement for post-pandemic operation” with the Milwaukee Area Service & Hospitality Workers Organization (MASH).
“Re-opening our business coming out of the pandemic requires great employees and Bounce Milwaukee recognizes that the only workforce shortage in Wisconsin right now is one of good jobs for service sector workers,” said Becky Cooper, co-owner of Bounce Milwaukee, in a press release. “This agreement ensures that Bounce Milwaukee will be an employer of choice for the service sector workforce in our city that knows they deserve dignity, rights, respect and security in their employment, which will enable us to staff our operation and open our doors to Milwaukee families once again.”
Cooper continued: “Instead of fighting a union, as we have seen in this city lately, we actively encourage and sought out a union for our employees as a way to address challenges and help us collectively solve problems that any service sector employer will face.”
According to the press release, “the labor and workforce agreement between Bounce Milwaukee and MASH provides for the orderly and amicable formation and recognition of the union amongst Bounce employees as well as resources and involvement of MASH as a workforce pipeline in the recruitment and hiring of Bounce operations employees. Upon hiring of the operations workforce and recognition of the union, Bounce Milwaukee and MASH will negotiate a union contract.”
Cool! Here’s the full press release, followed by the time Bounce co-owner (and now Milwaukee County Supervisor) Ryan Clancy set a Guinness World Record for Marathon Pinball Play.
Bounce Milwaukee and MASH Announce Landmark Workforce and Labor Agreement for Post-Pandemic Operation
Leading Hospitality Business and Service Workers Union Address Workforce Challenges with Job Quality and Employee Voice, Create Model for Hospitality, Entertainment and Tourism Employers
MILWAUKEE – Bounce Milwaukee and MASH (Milwaukee Area Service & Hospitality Workers Organization) jointly announced a landmark labor and workforce agreement for a post-pandemic reopening. Bounce is the leading local, family-oriented entertainment and hospitality venue in the Milwaukee area. MASH is the union of service and hospitality workers.
Bounce and MASH negotiated and finalized an agreement that ensures operations employees will have a voice and seat at the table and a union contract providing for job quality and worker rights. The agreement also draws upon labor market and expertise and reach from MASH to enable Bounce Milwaukee to source new hires at a time of labor market difficulty.
“Re-opening our business coming out of the pandemic requires great employees and Bounce Milwaukee recognizes that the only workforce shortage in Wisconsin right now is one of good jobs for service sector workers,” said Becky Cooper, Owner of Bounce Milwaukee. She continued, “This agreement ensures that Bounce Milwaukee will be an employer of choice for the service sector workforce in our city that knows they deserve dignity, rights, respect and security in their employment, which will enable us to staff our operation and open our doors to Milwaukee families once again. Instead of fighting a union, as we have seen in this city lately, we actively encourage and sought out a union for our employees as a way to address challenges and help us collectively solve problems that any service sector employer will face.”
Justine Andrew, Bounce Milwaukee’s bar manager, calls unionization the next natural step. “I want workers to be treated fairly and know that they are protected here. Choosing to unionize, especially with an organization specifically for hospitality workers, goes above and beyond expectations, but isn’t surprising to people who know Bounce. I have worked here for several years simply because of how great they are to work for. They care about their employees, always want to do the best for them and will do whatever they can to provide the best work environment- including this important next step.”
Peter Rickman, President of MASH, called the agreement a model for other employers in the hospitality, entertainment and tourism industries, saying “Bounce is showing other hospitality, entertainment and tourism industry employers the way to address workforce challenges through meaningful voice and a seat at the table for workers, decent job quality standards, and workforce engagement through worker organization.” He added, “We can fix service industry labor markets broken before the pandemic and scrambled by COVID, to work for employers and workers alike, and we can transform service sector employment, by bringing together a multi-employer table with businesses like Bounce, with common wage standards, shared funds for benefits, and coordinated approach to workforce management. Service sector jobs can be good jobs that strengthen our economy and our communities, with more employers following the lead of Bounce Milwaukee.”
The labor and workforce agreement between Bounce Milwaukee and MASH provides for the orderly and amicable formation and recognition of the union amongst Bounce employees as well as resources and involvement of MASH as a workforce pipeline in the recruitment and hiring of Bounce operations employees. Upon hiring of the operations workforce and recognition of the union, Bounce Milwaukee and MASH will negotiate a union contract.
Bounce Milwaukee plans to open for full operations in September and hiring is open now. Potential employees can begin the process of application to this employer of choice for service sector workers at bouncemilwaukee.com/employment.
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