U of M Labor and Community Strike Support Committee

48 Join the Hunger Strike in Support of University of Minnesota Strikers

45 students, 2 staff members and 1 community member have begun a 24-hour Solidarity Hunger Strike in support of the U of M Hunger Strikers for Justice and the members of the AFSCME unions who are on strike. The Solidarity Hunger Strikers have committed to fast in support of the struggle for a fair contract for U of M AFSCME workers. They are joining the hunger strike out of frustration with the University administration's obstinate refusal to negotiate fairly with the unions.

... the Executive Board of SEIU Local 73 supports our sisters and brothers on strike at the University of Minnesota in their righteous fight for a fair contract; ...

We, the undersigned graduate students of the Department of Philosophy, are writing to you to express our disappointment with your
administration’s failure to provide a living wage to the clerical, technical and medical staff here at the University of Minnesota.

We, the faculty and chairs of the American Indian Studies Department, the African and African American Studies Department, the Chicano Studies, and the Asian American Studies Program, write to express solidarity with the AFSCME workers and those who support them in striving to achieve a contract that compensates University clerical, healthcare, and technical workers with an acceptable and just wage. We urge you to return to negotiations and reach an agreement that acknowledges the importance and significance of their labor in building this institution.

We, the Students for a Democratic Society of Chapel Hill, express our
complete support for the University of Minnesota's clerical, technical
and healthcare workers' struggle for a fair contract and a living wage.

The UMCCC community – the teachers, staff, parents, and children – are deeply feeling the effects of the University administration’s refusal to properly compensate ASFCME workers with funds the legislature has earmarked for this purpose. Nine of the 25 AFSCME employees at UMCCC are presently on strike. Staff who remain at the center continue to provide excellent care, but under difficult conditions. One teacher who had been on maternity leave has been called back to work. Many parents have considered bringing in their children for shorter days or keeping them home whenever possible in order to alleviate pressure on UMCCC teachers and staff. But this is not an option for many of us if we wish to continue to do the university's work.

We write to express our concern over the ongoing strike of clerical, technical, and healthcare workers and to urge you to reach an agreement that reflects the high value of these workers to the School of Music and the University of Minnesota as a whole.

AFSCME Council 5 Retiree Political Club proudly supports U of M AFSCME Locals in their strike – ‘Standing Up for Our Standard of Living’. The strike has gone on since September 5th due to the University’s failure to offer a fair contract to these 3,100+ workers!