Dear University community member,

In light of the AFSCME strike at the University of Minnesota, many faculty and staff members have mixed feelings about contributing to the University's 2007 Community Fund Drive. In an Oct. 4 e-mail to colleagues, a faculty member in the Department of Theater Arts and Dance wondered if "perhaps the President (Bruininks) will see the irony of asking his employees to support charity causes that they may well have to resort to using, due to the inadequacy of the University's compensation for their work." Realizing this dilemma, rank-and-file union members did their homework and found an alternative so faculty and staff may voice their disapproval of the University of Minnesota administration yet still contribute to community organizations that serve people in need.

YOU can make a difference in these ways:

FIRST: Instead of contributing to Community Fund Drive organizations via the University of Minnesota, donate DIRECTLY to your chosen organization. Click here for instructions .

SECOND: support the AFSCME strike and its members by making a contribution to the U Workers strike fund by visiting http://www.uworkers.org. Dollars raised are available to union members through an application process to assist with paying bills in lieu of wages lost due to the strike. Remember from Ryan Mattke's October 3rd letter to the editor of the Minnesota Daily ( http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2007/10/03/72163631): the University says 1/3 of union members struck (more than 1,000 brave people), the average union member makes $17.04 per hour, and the strike lasted for 13 working days. That means on average each union member gave up $1,772 in wages. Please consider a contribution to the U Workers strike fund.

Thank you for your consideration and for your commitment to economic justice for all!

Sincerely,

(Your Name Here)