U workers deliver petitions demanding fair contract

Chanting, “President Kaler, hear our call! Your crummy offer is too small!” University of Minnesota workers rallied Tuesday on the Minneapolis campus for a fair contract.

AFSCME and the Teamsters, unions representing clerical, technical, food service, maintenance and other frontline employees, are engaged in bargaining new contracts with President Eric Kaler and his administration.

“After nearly two months of negotiations the administration is proposing raises of less than 1 percent, which amounts to 7-15 cents an hour,” the unions said. “[A total of] 223 senior administrators earn more than $150,000 a year, while more than 475 unionized workers make less than $15 an hour or $31,000 a year. AFSCME and Teamsters are calling for a $15 minimum wage and raises that will allow workers to get ahead.”

After Tuesday’s rally in front of Morrill Hall, the main administration building, about 50 union members and supporters delivered thousands of petitions from staff, faculty and students calling on the University administration “to give U of MN workers Raises and Respect.”

Contract talks are taking place as the University is embroiled in controversies regarding sexual harassment by the athletic director and misuse of funds by the chief information officer, both of whom have resigned. In recent years, the Legislature has scrutinized the University’s administrative costs and increases in tuition.

Participants in Tuesday’s rally said it is time for the University to stand up for loyal, hardworking employees who make the institution run.

“Many of us struggle to earn enough money to repay student loans, buy a modest house, have a child, or to retire,” said Cherrene Horazuk, president of AFSCME Local 3800, the union representing clerical workers. “The 0.375 percent raise being proposed to clerical workers is an insult. It’s like giving a one dollar tip for a nice dinner. The money is there – the administration is just not willing to spend it on frontline workers.”

Mike Johnson, a cook at the University and member of Teamsters Local 320, said, “Teamsters have turned up the heat. It’s time for the University to take things seriously.”

The unions plan to keep up the pressure with a “Rally for Raises and Respect” Tuesday, Sept. 29, at noon on Northrop Plaza on the Minneapolis campus.

The University, on its Human Resources website, states it “is committed to negotiating in good faith with our labor unions with the ultimate goal of maintaining a competitive employment package.”

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