Employees of Vertical Endeavors gyms throughout the state voted this month to join the United Food and Commercial Workers, making them the first climbing gym workers to unionize in Minnesota.

The election took place by mail ballot beginning Nov. 13, and results were counted Wednesday, with more than 81% of employees agreeing to join UCFW Local 663 and 1189.

Hailey Jarmon, a team coach in Bloomington, said in a written statement that workers look forward to a bargaining contract that offers “better pay and healthcare, and a voice in the decisions that are going to affect employees and customers.”

Vertical Endeavors gyms are located in Bloomington, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth. A call to the company for comment was not returned Wednesday.

The new bargaining unit will cover about 90 people, according to the United Food and Commercial Workers, including most employees who are not shift managers or guards.

A filing of intent to unionize in August included employees of Nicros, which makes custom walls and holds for rock climbing systems. The union said those workers now plan to file as a separate bargaining unit.

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