No Movement from Management - Strike Set for Wed, Sep 5

August 29th, 2007

To all U of M AFSCME employees,

Last week we heard from 72% of our members that the August 10th offer of 2.25% and 2.5% are not acceptable proposals. The majority of our members rejected this offer last week, and voted to authorize a strike.

We came to the table this morning, August 29th, 2007, and made major moves in our wage proposals.

At 10:30 am, the University responded to our opening proposal with no change in their proposal whatsoever. Their offer remains at 2.25% for Clerical and Technical employees, and 2.5% for Health Care employees. They tell us that there is no more money to put on the table for AFSCME employees.

Over the course of our negotiations we have been consistent in our message to the University that AFSCME employees need to make up for years of decreasing job value.

Our wages have not kept up with inflation.

We know that it takes only $1.1 million for each percentage increase for our members. This is out of an overall operating budget of close to $1.5 billion. The U of M AFSCME Joint Negotiations Committee cannot in good conscience ask members to accept this non-proposal. We must all re-double our efforts to prepare for a strike to begin Wednesday, September 5th. In order to reach any settlement that we can accept - every AFSCME employee has to be part of this action. We must be ready to take a stand now.

There are Strike Preparation meetings scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week.

There is a Community Support action tonight (Wednesday, August 29th) at 4:30 pm at the corner of Union and Washington Avenues on the East Bank. We will be bannering and handing out flyers.

There is a rally planned for noon, Thursday, August 30th in front of Morrill Hall.

In addition, there is a strike hotline now set up for updates:

612-234-8772

Events and actions will be happening very fast in the next few days. We urge you to check the web sites and the strike hotline for the most recent information about meetings, rallies, picket-sign pick-up and other crucial dates, times and locations.

We are strong when we all stand together!

U of M AFSCME Joint Negotiations Committee

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AFSCME Local 3800
1313 5th St SE #332-B
Minneapolis, MN 55414
www.afscme3800.org
Strike Hotline: 612-234-8772

Contact Local 3800

Phyllis Walker, President
612-251-9987

Cherrene Horazuk, Chief Steward
612-940-0660

Know Your Rights in the Workplace

Click here for an article explaining your rights in the workplace

I need help! Whom do I call?

First call the Chief Steward at (612) 940-0660. I’ll put you in touch with one of our shop stewards.

What is a steward?

A steward is a co-worker and union member who has been trained to assist employees in solving workplace problems and to enforce and protect the contract. Our stewards provide representation when employees need assistance. When your coworkers are acting on behalf of the union in a steward capacity, they have special recognition provided by our contract. They are on equal footing with management.

Use your steward as a resource

If you have questions about work rules, a workplace situation or union activities, consult with your union steward. If she/he doesn’t know the answer, they will find it for you. The strength of any union depends on having a large, active, and educated membership. Stewards play a key role in achieving all these goals. As the number of educated members grows, so does the amount of influence we can exert on the University in order to effect positive change.

If you are interested in becoming a steward, call our Chief Steward at (612) 940-0660.

AFSCME Local 3800 University of Minnesota Clerical Workers Union

Primary links

No Movement from Management - Strike Set for Wed, Sep 5

Contact Local 3800

Know Your Rights in the Workplace

I need help! Whom do I call?

2005 Report: Voices in the Workplace: The Economics of Working at the University of Minnesota