ST. PAUL, Minn. — A labor dispute at the University of Minnesota has pushed Farm Aid organizers to consider either finding a new venue or canceling the charity concert planned next weekend at the university’s Huntington Bank Stadium.

Members of Teamsters Local 320, which represents 1,400 custodial, food service, maintenance and sanitation workers on campuses around the state, went on strike Monday. Union members seeking pay raises rejected a contract offer from the university.

Farm Aid staff were set to begin building the stage Friday for the Sept. 20 concert featuring Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and a dozen other musical acts. But Thursday, organizers released a statement saying “our artists, production team and partners have made clear that they will not cross a picket line.

“The team that is scheduled (Friday) to begin building our complex stage and set is made up of loyal production people who have an ongoing relationship with labor across the U.S. They also will not cross a picket line. These decisions reflect our own values: the farm and labor movements are inseparable, and we believe strongly that the University must return to the bargaining table in good faith.”

The University of Minnesota responded with a statement that said it was highly supportive of farmers and values the mission and aim of Farm Aid. The university said it remains at the negotiating table and is waiting for Teamsters Local 320 to join.

“We have been engaged in conversation with Farm Aid for months and especially throughout this week. The decision about whether the event moves forward is theirs. It is not a University of Minnesota decision,” the statement read.

“The University presented a highly competitive offer to our Teamsters-represented employees, one that supports the important work they do and is financially responsible as a University.”

Looking at options

Farm Aid organizers said they are currently looking at all options, including moving to a new venue. But they warned of possibly dire consequences if the charity is forced to cancel the event: “It is critical to understand that if Farm Aid 40 is forced to move or cancel, the financial impact could be devastating. The expenses already incurred to bring this historic event to Minnesota may well threaten the survival of our organization after four decades of service to family farmers.”

For previous concerts, Huntington Bank Stadium had a capacity of around 40,000. Two other stadiums in the metro with similar capacities are unavailable: Target Field has a Twins game on Sept. 20 and U.S. Bank Stadium is hosting the Vikings the following afternoon. Smaller St. Paul venues Allianz Field and Xcel Energy Center also have events scheduled.

Target Center has a Minnesota Lynx game on Sunday, but is otherwise open for the week leading up to Sept. 20. A spokesperson for the Minneapolis basketball arena did not immediately respond when asked for a comment.

Last year, Nelson performed at the Live Nation-owned Somerset Amphitheater in Wisconsin, which is located 30 miles northeast of St. Paul. Representatives from Live Nation did not respond when asked about the possibility of moving Farm Aid to the amphitheater or any other Live Nation venues in the region.

Harriet Island Regional Park in downtown St. Paul, meanwhile, hosted its first major pop and rock musical festival in a dozen years last year. The inaugural Minnesota Yacht Club Festival offered two days of music headlined by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gwen Stefani and Alanis Morissette. It expanded to three days for its sophomore run in July and is set to return next summer. It was deemed a success by both organizers and the mayor’s office.

When asked for a comment, Mayor Melvin Carter’s press secretary said the city has not been contacted about hosting Farm Aid in St. Paul: “The event is set to bring thousands to our metro area, including St. Paul, and we are hopeful it is able to happen as scheduled.

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