The Bureau of Mediation Services (BMS) in an employer-friendly ruling has ordered our strike for Wednesday, September 5, 2007 instead of Tuesday, September 4, 2007. We are not daunted by this and are planning to be very visible in the work place on September 4 if our contract is not settled. As of last night it is our understanding that we will be going back into mediation tomorrow, Wednesday, August 29.

It is our hope that the University will come to the table ready to negotiate a settlement that we can all live with. Our goal is to get a settlement, but if the University continues to short change us, our members have told us in no uncertain terms by their 72% reject and strike vote that they are ready and willing to strike. The ball is in the University’s court.

Today, right after work, a very important meeting will be held at the University Baptist Church on the corner of 13th and University. Many of your will remember that University Baptist Church was the site of our strike headquarters in 2003.

The purpose of this meeting is to get information out to you about our impending strike on September 5, 2007. We will have an update on the BMS timeline, information about our position in negotiations as well as very useful information about what to expect from a strike. Join us.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007
University Baptist Church
13th and University Avenue
5:15 P.M.

It is now week three of our noon Strike Readiness Meetings. All meetings are from noon to 1:00 P.M. unless otherwise stated. The purpose of these meetings is helping us prepare for a strike by presenting important information and answering your questions.

Tues, August 28, 2007
125 Coffey Hall-St Paul
10 Blegen Hall-West Bank
Otter Tail Bldg Basement-Morris

Wed, August 29, 2007
W-120 Boynton-Med Area
56 Ralph Rapson Hall-East Bank
Printing Svcs Conf Rm, 2nd Fl
Como Area (meetings held at 11:30 am, 12:00 noon and 12:30 pm)

Thurs, August 30, 2007
162 Amundson Hall-East Bank - 5:15 P.M.

Fri, |August 31, 2007
235 McNamara Alumni Center (Gateway Building)
CUHCC Clinic Meeting, Community Room (12:00 noon and 1:00 P.M.)

Sat, September 1, 2007
102A U Tec Building, 1313 5th St SE—11:00 A.M.


For a complete update on negotiations please visit our web sites:
U of M Technical Workers: www.afscme3937.org
U of M Clerical Workers www.afscme3800.org
UMD Technical and Clerical Workers: www.umn.edu/~afscme/