Vol. 71/No. 35      September 24, 2007

More than 600 strikers and their supporters rallied here September 7. Pickets have fanned out across campuses in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, Morris, Crookston, and Rochester. The strikers are members of four different AFSCME locals representing clerical, technical, and health-care workers at the university.

The main issue is wages. The university offered a 2.25 percent raise for clerical and technical workers and a 2.5 percent raise for health-care workers. The union notes that these raises, which would amount to $850 a year for most workers, do not keep pace with inflation.

“With that contract, I’ll retire when I’m 72,” said Linda Kingman, 59, a secretary in the oral surgery department and a strike picket captain.

The strike, which began on the second day of classes, has impacted the university. Two bursar’s offices, where students pay their tuition, had to be closed. The Veterinary Teaching Hospital Clinic is accepting only emergency cases. The walkout of dental assistants, lab technicians, and hygienists reduced the dental clinic operations. All of the university 911 operators have joined the strike, forcing calls to be rerouted to the city of Minneapolis. Other affected areas include the Facilities Management emergency call center, the library system, and the student health clinic.

In addition, a number of teachers are holding classes off campus to show solidarity. The university has responded by ordering professors to keep their classes on campus or face discipline.

The editorial board of the student newspaper Minnesota Daily endorsed the strike, as did the American Medical Students Association Minneapolis branch. Other faculty and student groups have written letters of support.

The strike has received support from other unions, including the Amalgamated Transit Union. Bus drivers routinely honk in support of strikers as they pass picketers, and several have joined the lines.

Jack Berner, who has been on strike twice while working for Metro Transit, told the Minnesota Daily that he supports the strike. “They’re trying to make a living, too,” he said. “Everybody on the top is taking all of the money.”

Sandi Sherman is a striking member of AFSCME Local 3800.
 
 
Related articles:
Minnesota meat packers call union defense rally
Bosses deny union officials entry to plant  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home