The Minneapolis City Council will vote on creating a labor standards board at its Thursday meeting

Minneapolis city council members are expected to vote Thursday on creating a labor standards board.

The move comes after years of discussion and meetings, but also during a year marked by several labor disputes.

While some support the idea; Some entrepreneurs are withdrawing.

If the proposal is adopted, a board of fifteen people – employers, employees and policy experts – would be established. The board would then advise council members on labor policies throughout the city.

Those behind the push to make the governance a reality say this has been a work in progress for two years, saying it would ensure that the nuances in each specific sector can be explored, adding that it is also a would create an opportunity for workers and companies to come together.

However, opponents of the board say they worry about business owners because concerns about the board could lead to more regulations and costs they can’t afford. A letter to council members from a handful of business owners calls the board’s idea unbalanced and overreaching. They add that for companies already trying to survive in a post-pandemic world with rising inflationary costs, the potential new governance “threatens the very existence of restaurants.”

“Additional regulations imposed by the board would only make functioning more difficult. We operate on very small margins, and any additional costs could force us to close our doors,” says Pedro Wolcott, chef at Guacaya Bistreaux.

At least three council members are behind the board that will get the green light on Thursday, but the rest of the council will vote at the meeting, which starts at 9 a.m. If passed, it will go to Mayor Jacob Frey’s desk.

Check back for updates.