U Workers Support Fund
U of M AFSCME has set up a mutual support fund. Donations have been and will
be taken from unions, from the larger community and from on-campus supporters. You can donate or tell friends, coworkers and family to donate online here.
Strike Mutual Support Committee
U of M AFSCME has also set up a Mutual Support Committee which is responsible
for mobilizing the additional resources of the Union and the community to meet
the health and welfare needs of strikers and their families. In addition to the
U Workers Support Fund, there are agencies both governmental and voluntary in
the community that can provide assistance. Identifiying these agencies, determining
eligibility requirements, and developing a referral service are among the key
responsibilities of the Committee.
Financial Preparation: Don't delay - do it today
The following recommendations are made to help everyone prepare for the possibility
of a strike to resolve our contract negotiations. Advance preparations will help
minimize financial adversity during the strike. You can help yourself and the
U of M AFSCME Mutual Support Committee by taking the following actions:
- Notifiy you bank, building and loan association, or whoever holds a mortgage
on your property of the possibility of a strike. Many of the companies have policies
or procedures that may make postponement or reduction of payments during the
strike possible without adversely affecting your credit. Find out what their
policies are. We suggest you make this notification whith a personal visit or
phone call with the responsible people holding the mortgage. Please let us know
what you find out - it may help someone else. Once the strike starts, if you
are unable to make mortgage payments, request a postponement of payments until
the strike is over.
- If you rent, contact your landlord and inform them of the possibility of
a strike. Again, once a strike starts, if you are not able to pay the rent, ask
for a postponement until the successful conclusion of the strike.
- Notify all utilities (phone, gas, electric, water, cable) of the possibilitiy
of a strike.
- Notify any companies where you are making payments for automobiles, furniture,
department store or loan companies of the possibility of a strike and find out
what the policies are. Once the strike starts, if you are unable to make payments,
you should give norification that you are on strike and request a moratorium
on your accounts until the strike is settled.
Contact information:
U of M AFSCME Mutual Support Committee
Strike Headquarters: 1219 University Avenue SE
Strike Hotline: 612-234-8772