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Vol. 71/No. 37      October 8, 2007

 
Minnesota university workers assess strike
 
BY SANDI SHERMAN  
MINNEAPOLIS, September 21—A 16-day strike at the University of Minnesota ended today. Officials of the joint bargaining committee representing four locals of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) reported to a meeting of 600 strikers that the university administration refused to back down from a previously rejected offer.

“Next time it’s going to be a bigger fight,” said striker Emily Kreitzer. “All I can say right now is people are really angry, and they’re really insulted.” After a discussion at tonight’s meeting, most workers agreed that striking was the right thing to do.

The strike began September 5, when 1,245 workers walked out to protest inadequate cost-of-living raises. It was the second strike at the university in 60 years, and the first that united all four AFSCME locals at one negotiating table. The strike had an impact on key university services, and won support from faculty, students, and other unions. Unions and other supporters donated more than $75,000 to a strike hardship fund, and many joined the picket lines.

The administration’s offer includes a two-year contract with $300 lump-sum payments each year and $300 in additional lump sums for those at the top of their pay scales. It includes raises of 2.25 percent for clerical and technical workers and 2.5 percent for healthcare workers. The offer will be sent out for vote in early October without recommendation by the bargaining committee.

“It’s been really tough, but it’s also been fun and empowering,” said striker Nicole Masika. She said she plans to tell her two teenage children that “I tried to do the right thing. We may do without some material things for a few months, but I did what was right.”

“When you go on strike, there are some things that you can measure and some that you can’t,” said Local 3800 president Phyllis Walker at a news conference today. “The strength that builds in the union from doing that, the way people feel for themselves because they stood up and fought.”

The administration’s refusal to change its final offer led many to the conclusion that this fight was about more than money. “They’re trying to bust up our union, but they’re not going to bust our union up,” said James Calicutt. “They can forget about that. The union’s going to stand.”

Sandi Sherman is a member of AFSCME Local 3800 at the University of Minnesota.  
 
 
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