U of M service worker strike ends with tentative agreement, rank-and-file to vote for ratification

Minnesota Workers United
The strike lasted five days and ended with tentative agreement announced late Friday Photo credit Getty Images

Service employees at all University of Minnesota campuses are going back to work as a tentative agreement was reached overnight.

About 1,400 workers will vote for ratification, and the earliest they're expected back on the job is Sunday.

Strike ends
Facebook announcement on the strike ending Photo credit Teamsters local 320

The workers are represented by the Teamsters union.

The strike threatened next week's Farm Aid concert at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Farm Aid's Co-executive Director Shorlette Ammons earlier Friday.

"The clock is ticking, the stage crew is supposed to be setting up soon," she said. "We really want to get this settled."

Organizers, artists, and crews vowed not to cross picket lines to work the 40th anniversary celebration of the first Farm Aid concert.

Farm Aid also posted a statement on social media:

Farm Aid is grateful that the University of Minnesota and Teamsters Local 320 have reached an agreement. We are thrilled to confirm that Farm Aid 40 will go forward in Minneapolis as planned.

For four decades, Farm Aid has stood with farmers and workers. Today's agreement is a reminder of what can be achieved when people come together in the spirit of fairness and solidarity.

We look forward to celebrating that spirit on September 20 — alongside farmers, workers, advocates, artists and fans — in a day of music and community that honors this shared history.

The concert is Sept. 20 at the home of the Gopher football team.

Union leaders revealed on social media that with the tentative agreement, the strike is over after five days.

The union first posted on social media Friday that they received an offer from the state that met their demands.

The post about the strike ending came a few hours later.

In a back-and-forth text Friday night between Governor Walz and Farm Aid's Willie Nelson, the governor promised to "get 'er done."

Strike captain Grady Johnson says the strike, which spanned all five U of M campuses, reportedly led to overflowing trash and flooded dorms.

The custodial, maintenance, and food service workers had been seeking at least a 3.5% wage increase.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Getty Images