Press Advisory: For Immediate Release
August 28, 2007
Contacts: Phyllis Walker, President AFSCME 3800,
612-251-9987
Barb Bezat, President AFSCME 3937, 612-379-3933
Denise Osterholm, AFSCME 3801 (UMD) 218 726 6312
Rhonda Jennen, AFSCME 3260 612-625-4908
U of M AFSCME Returns to Negotiating Table Wednesday, August 29. Strike Date Set for September 5, 2007.
The
Bureau of Mediation Services (BMS) has ordered U of M AFSCME's strike date to be Wednesday,
September 5, 2007 instead of Tuesday, September 4, 2007 as the union
had expected. 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 before then. As of last night the mediator has called both
parties back to the mediation table tomorrow, Wednesday, August 29.
Barb Bezat, President Local 3937 said, "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."
Every public employer in the State of Minnesota
put at least 3.25% plus step increases on the negotiating table. The
University received a budget allocation from the state of 3.25% for
each employee at the U plus an additional salary supplement that many
other employers did not receive. The University has refused
to put more than 2.25% on the table for Clerical, Technical and
Health Care staff.
Phyllis
Walker added, "In 2003 they asked us to share the pain and our salaries
were frozen. In 2005 they offered what they called a "fair and
equitable" settlement and our positions lost value. Now we are in a
situation where the University has money and they are refusing to give
it to us. I suspect they feel the need to add a few more $250,000 a
year Vice President positions. It is a question of economic justice.
The University is creating two classes, one that is valued with money
and the other valued only in words."
The unions have been organizing in the work place and have set up a strike headquarters. In addition there is a very active Community Support Committee. Jess Sundin, Community Support Committee chair said, "The response from the University Community has been tremendously supportive. Students and professors understand that this is an issue of economic justice and respect. They understand that employees such as secretaries, veterinary technicians and medical assistants are the backbone of the institution and allow teaching and research to happen."
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