Teamsters on Strike at UMD!

 At 4am, on the morning of September 9, custodial, maintenance and food service workers went out on strike at the University of MN-Duluth.  These workers are members of Teamsters Local 320.  They have been locked in a better contract fight with the University for some time, and this strike comes on the heels of the workers recently rejecting the "last, best and final offer" by the Administration.  The main issues of the strike are the workers demand for a living wage, and opposition to the University's proposal to change the time when contracts expire from the summer, to December (a time when it's much more difficult to negotiate, let alone go on strike).

Just shy of 200 workers are involved in the strike.  They have set up pickets at every entrance to the campus and plan to picket every day, all day, until the Administration stops just offering crumbs to these over worked, and under paid workers.  We urge all of our readers to support this strike.  You can do so by honking whenever you drive by, sending an email to the Administration and coming by to walk the picket line.

You can view the union's strike press release here, and below is the message they shared when they went out on strike:  

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. The University of Minnesota has shown its true colors, and they're not maroon and gold. After months of bargaining, they've thrown down a so-called "Last, Best, and Final Offer" that falls short of respect, equity, and fairness.

 

They're offering crumbs while expecting us to keep the campus running. Custodians, food service workers, and maintenance crews are essential to the institution, and this is how they treat us?

 

UMN needs to bargain in good faith.

UMN needs to honor the dignity of its workers.

UMN needs to listen to the 82% of Teamsters who rejected their final offer.

 

CALL TO ACTION:

To every Teamster:

To every ally on campus:

To every student who values justice—join us.

Walk the picket line. Share our message. Demand accountability.