Protesters bring halt to meeting of Uregents

The tally from Friday's far-from-ordinary Board of Regents meeting at the University of Minnesota went something like this: More than 100 protesters supporting striking union workers chanting loudly; five protesters arrested; a meeting delay that turned into a premature adjournment and a regent left in an awkward position.

Steven Hunter knew the third day of the dispute between striking clerical, technical and health care workers who are members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees could bring his position as a regent into conflict with his day job.

Hunter's primary occupation is secretary/treasurer of the Minnesota AFL-CIO. Before that he was the political action director in the state for AFSCME.

As a result, Hunter spent part of Friday morning trying to calm the protesters. In the process, he called for the university to return to the bargaining table.

With protesters chanting loudly enough Friday morning that the meeting couldn't proceed, regents chair Patricia Simmons called for a recess. At that point, five protesters ran in front of the door that the regents were going to use to leave the room. They sat on the floor arm-in-arm and were arrested for interfering with public property.

While the rest of the regents left the room, Hunter stayed and talked to the students and activists.

"I know tempers are hot," Hunter said. "But let us do our best. There are regents on this board who support the cause. Keeping the board from meeting could cost some support."

After about an hour, the regents returned to the room and Hunter was given the floor. He urged the university to get back to the bargaining table with AFSCME for the first time since late Tuesday.

"We've spent a lot of time since I've been on the board focusing on getting it right in terms of benefits for our administrators and our faculty," Hunter said. "We know we have a problem competing for top faculty and administrators to do those jobs. That's appropriate because those people are the engine that drives this university towards our aspirational goals. But the support staff is the oil that lets the engine run. If you've ever tried driving a car without oil, you'll find out what happens.

"We have a problem right now. Our support staff is not happy, they're not working -- it's hurting them, it's hurting the university. It's a necessity to get back to the table."

No negotiations are scheduled at this point.

Hunter had asked AFSCME leaders earlier this week whether they wanted him to attend the meetings or honor the picket line. After he spoke, the regents tried to get back to their scheduled business. At that point, protesters repeatedly chanted "shame on you," and Simmons ended the meeting.

Because the meeting was prematurely adjourned, the regents did not take action on several items, including approving the reworked tuition reciprocity deal with Wisconsin. After the meeting, a conference call was held to approve the appointment of the new chancellor of the Rochester campus along with two vice president appointments.

University President Robert Bruininks said the reciprocity issue will be dealt with at the October meeting, which will be held on the Morris campus.

While Hunter said he didn't think the university's offer to AFSCME workers would be enough to get a contract, he didn't offend Bruininks.

"He's in a very awkward spot," Bruininks said. "I think he spoke emotionally and passionately for what he thought was an important message and that was that we should get back together and work on these issues."

The biggest issue in the strike is wages. Union officials are unhappy with the university's proposed 2.25 and 2.5 percent raises for each of the two years of the contract, saying they don't keep up with inflation. University officials maintain that when service anniversary step increases of 2 percent are considered, the offers are fair.

The university said about 1,000 of the 3,150 AFSCME workers were on strike Friday, about the same as the first two days of the strike.

"We want to get this settled," Bruininks said. "We believe we have a fair offer out there, and we believe we have to run the university in a way that is responsible to all of its employees. That will be our position, and it will continue to be our position no matter what the level of noise is on the university campus."

One of the five arrested, Katherine Kleckner, 45, is the former president of the AFSCME local representing the clerical workers. Others arrested were Kathryn Wodkte, 20; Kimberly Defranco, 42; Katrina Plotz, 27, and Lindan Gawboy, 44. None of the women are currently listed in the university's online directory of students and staff.

Jeff Shelman • 612-673-7478

Jeff Shelman • jshelman@startribune.com