Service workers on brink of strike as students head back to U of M

More than 1,400 University of Minnesota workers plan to strike on Wednesday, four days before new students arrive on campus.

The university and Teamsters Local 320, a union representing many university service workers, have been in mediation since Thursday over new contracts. The union threatened to strike in 2022 as well, but an agreement was reached in time.

“We want to avoid possible disruptions to students and their families’ first few days on campus,” Teamsters lead negotiator Jackson Kerr said in an Aug. 7 news release. “We hope the University will propose a fair contract at the negotiating table and avoid this outcome.”

The systemwide strike would be the first for the union since it began at the U in the 1970s. Union members include maintenance, food service and janitorial workers, some of whom are integral to helping new students move into residence halls.

A spokesperson for the U, Joe Linstroth, said in an email Monday “the University is hopeful that an agreement can be reached.”

The union and the university have been negotiating a contract since March. The last contract ended on June 30, but is extended until a new one is reached.

Kerr said in an interview on July 25 the university needs to raise its wage increase proposal for the union to rethink its strike.

The university proposed a 2.5% wage increase in the first year of the new contract and whatever salary increases are approved by the Board of Regents for the second and third years. The regents approved a 3% salary increase in 2025.

Since mediation is closed to the public, it is not clear if different proposals have been made on wages from either side.

In a statement, the university said it “has plans in place” in case the strike happens on Wednesday. It is not clear if the university has informed students of what those plans are or if students know there may be a strike during move-in.

The union includes staffers who clean and service buildings as well as dining hall cooks and workers.

The university said it has been keeping the community updated via the contract negotiations page of its website. The university did contact faculty and staff via email about the strike possibility.