U of M service workers file intent to strike ahead of 2025 academic year

Potential strike at the U of M

Teamsters Local 320, which represents the University of Minnesota’s(UMN) service workers, said it has filed an intent to strike with the University.

According to Teamsters, workers intend to strike beginning on Aug. 20 across the UMN’s five teaching campuses and research facilities, due to what they claim is the University’s “continued refusal to address key issues at the bargaining table.”

The union represents 1,400 service workers at the University, who clean buildings,service dormitories, maintain grounds, prepare food, maintain HVAC systems, care forresearch animals, drive trucks, and perform other activities on campuses.

“Service workers at UMN keep the campuses running, and they deserve to be treated withdignity and respect,” said Brian Aldes, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 320. “Our members love their jobs and the work they do to support students, faculty and staff, but after the latest negotiations with UMN we had no choice but to file our intent to strike. If UMN continues to ignore the basic needs of its frontline workers, we will strike.”

Teamsters said they hope to see a wage increase for workers following the expiration of their bargaining agreement on June 30.

Following the bargaining agreement’s expiration, Teamsters said UMN offered a 2.5% wage increase inthe first year and 1% in the following two years, while also proposing a 10% hike in health care costs. The hike in healthcare costs would reportedly offset most of the wage gain for employees. Teamsters also claims that UMN’s proposed contract would allow it to pay new hires higher starting wages than current staff in the same position, bypassing long-time workers.

“Our pay isn’t keeping up with inflation, and many of us are forced to work multiple jobs,” saidChristy O’Connor, a 26-year Senior Building & Grounds worker. “We are struggling to supportour families, but after months at the bargaining table, UMN is only offering us tiny raises thatbarely offset the big increases in healthcare costs that UMN expects us to pay.”

The decision to file an intent to strike will trigger a 10-day cool-off period, in which both parties from the union and university will meet in mandatory negotiating sessions to try and come to an agreement before the strike begins.

The University of Minnesota has been contacted by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS for a statement regarding the intent to strike. This article will be updated if a response is given.
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