Proposed contracts for U of M service workers include wage increases, work during summer

UPDATE 10/23/22: The union representing University of Minnesota service workers has bargained for wage increases, gradual raises and guaranteed work over the summer months, according to a Sunday press release.

Teamsters Local 320 says its members will vote on the proposed contract in the next two weeks. View the union’s full statement below:

After three days of mediation with the University of Minnesota, we are pleased to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement that will secure significant gains across our membership’s priorities, from wage increases and cost-of-living adjustments to extended work opportunities for our seasonal staff.

The proposed three-year agreement, which will be retroactive to July 1, 2022 and end on June 30, 2025, includes a starting wage of $20/hour for all Teamsters, with 5 percent increases for our most tenured members in the first year. With additional market adjustments and cost-of-living increases, our members would receive at least a 12 percent wage increase over the life of this contract. 

In addition to the wage increases, we have ensured that all 12-month Teamsters in University Dining will be provided a minimum of 30 hours of work per week during the summer months. Currently, UMN employs many of its dining workers for only nine months, leaving them with no summer income. Our proposed agreement would secure work for our Teamster dining workers through the entirety of the year, helping them support their families and raise their standard of living.

Our tentative agreement would also secure extended health care benefits, include a seat for one Teamster member on the Twin Cities Campus Sustainability Committee, Juneteenth as a paid holiday, and more.

The union representing University of Minnesota service workers has bargained for wage increases, gradual raises and guaranteed work over the summer months, according to a Sunday press release.

Teamster members are the backbone of UMN’s campuses and play a vital role in keeping the University up and running for its students. We look forward to continuing to support our members’ essential work and voice on the job.

Teamsters Local 320

A statement from the other party, the University of Minnesota, is included in the initial report below.

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INITIAL REPORT 10/22/22: University of Minnesota service workers represented by Teamsters Local 320 struck a tentative deal with the school Saturday morning, according to social media announcements from the union.

Saturday was the first day the workers could legally walk off the job and picket after they voted to authorize a strike earlier this month.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Early this morning, Teamsters Local 320 and the University of Minnesota reached a 3-year agreement at the negotiating table. Next week's strike has been called off, and the agreement will be voted on by the membership. More details will be forthcoming later today.

— Teamsters Local 320 (@IBT_320) October 22, 2022

Workers will now vote to pass or reject the deal. The union also said workers should report for regularly scheduled shifts.

The University of Minnesota confirmed that its union-backed service workers will vote on the tentative agreement and, if it passes, the agreement will go before the U of M Board of Regents.

Both Twin Cities and Duluth campus strikes are on hold while the negotiating parties await vote results.

“We are pleased to reach an equitable settlement that fairly compensates our Teamsters employees. We will provide you with updates as more information becomes available,” the university said.

Neither party has released the terms of the tentative deal as of posting. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS is working to provide more information on the contract and what it could mean if approved.