MINN. UNIVERSITY WORKERS END STRIKE, RATIFY CONTRACT

Economics pushed the striking workers at the University of Minnesota to end their walkout and later ratify a contract the university offered, Minnesota labor media reported.

The 4-to-1 margin for the pact on Oct. 16 came after the workers ended their 16-day strike on Sept. 27. The 2007-2009 pact covers 3,150 clerical, health care and technical workers in four AFSCME locals at the university’s five campuses. Union negotiators forwarded the university’s offer to their members without recommendation.

The strike weighed heavily on university workers. An average worker earns $34,000 a year, and if he or she supports a family of four, qualifies for food stamps. The university refused to budge on the main sticking point in negotiations: Wages. The new pact gives that typical worker $1,065 more next year, but that won’t cover the rising cost of gas, food and housing, AFSCME said.

The agreement was the same as an offer the university submitted a week before the strike ended. The wage increases were the same as those in a contract offer voted down by members before the strike began.

Union bargainers said the wage offer does not keep up with inflation. The pact includes a 2.25 percent cost of living increase for clerical and technical workers, a 2.5 percent cost of living increase for health care workers, and steps to reward longevity and a $300 yearly lump sum. Workers who don't receive step increases will get an additional $300 in each year. After inflation, someone starting work under the new pact will earn 8 percent less than someone who started the job in 2003, the unions noted.

"Workers approved this contract for the same reason we were forced back to work," explained Local 3801 President Denise Osterholm. "We're struggling to afford food, gas and housing. We can't sustain a further loss of wages." Added Rhoda Jennen, president of Health Care Local 3260: "Morale has tanked and it's time for the (university) administration to recognize that world-class universities don't treat their workers like second-class citizens."