Solvang, Calif. – With the 89th Danish Days festival only days away, city employees represented by Teamsters Local 986 began a strike after the municipality turned down their proposed contract. Public Works Supervisor Johnathon Flynn said the city imposed a lower‑pay offer on the bargaining unit, prompting workers to walk out.
Union says city’s offer falls short
Teamsters Business Representative Jeff Lee of Local 896 explained that the union had presented a “fair offer” for ratification, which the city rejected in favor of a reduced proposal. “We want to send a clear message that all we are asking for is a fair contract that reflects the worth of these members and what they do every day to support the business community,” Lee said.
Danish Days faces potential disruption
The three‑day Danish Days celebration, a long‑standing tradition that draws hundreds of volunteers and local business leaders, funds scholarships for area youth. Festival founder and Ingeborg’s Danish Chocolate owner Kim Jensen emphasized the event’s deep family roots, noting that many participants are grandchildren of the original organizers.
“It goes way back to all our families that have been doing this since the early ’50s. It’s a great tradition, and we’re proud to keep it alive for future generations,” Jensen said, adding that her daughters will help run the chocolate stand.
Community leaders stress importance of the event
Danish Days Foundation Treasurer Tracy Bear highlighted the festival’s role in preserving architectural heritage, traditional foods, and cultural customs such as the “skål” toast with aquavit. “The traditions stay alive each year, and the festival is a family reunion for the whole town,” Bear said.
Local restaurateur David Cecchini of Cecco Ristorante plans to serve large turkey legs, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Solvang Friendship House, where his father resides.
Public works staff normally support the event
Flynn noted that his team typically sets up signage, parking barriers, and traffic cones for the festival, which runs Friday through Sunday. “We set up every cone, every parking sign, every barricade when people are out,” he said. “The strike gives us a brief pause, and we hope to enjoy the festivities once it’s resolved.”
City officials, including the mayor, were unavailable for comment at the time of publication.
What’s next for the strike?
The union has called for a return to negotiations, urging the city to present a contract that fairly compensates workers for their contributions to Solvang’s economy and cultural events. Both sides have expressed a desire to avoid any lasting impact on Danish Days, which remains a cornerstone of community pride and charitable fundraising.
For more information about the festival, visit solvangdanishdays.org.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
