Incoming first-year students at the University of Minnesota's Centennial Hall were met by quite a loud group on Tuesday, as service workers for the college were picketing for higher wages.
The union, Teamsters Local 320, represents roughly 1,500 workers across the school's several state campuses and is currently negotiating a new contract. The union shared that it has been in contact with the college since May, but the university has yet to meet its requests.
While workers hope to reach a deal soon, Brian Aldes, the secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 320, says an agreement won't be made until their demands are met, but their goal isn't to stop working.
"That's not our goal. Our goal is to reach a mutual agreement without a work stoppage," Aldes said.
The union is asking for a hike in pay to $20 an hour, plus guaranteed year-round work, instead of the $15 and select time workers currently receive.
Aldes shared that the $15 mark was set almost six years ago, and the university has not been willing to progress it forward ever since, only saying it would market adjust some classifications of workers.
The union chose moving day to protest on purpose, according to Sara Parcells, a buildings and grounds worker for 21 years, who says they are looking for more visibility.
"The rally today is to show the university how united we are," Parcells said.
The union is made up of dining workers, custodians, mechanics, and other service workers, who, for the most part, seem to agree on the same points. An internal poll found that 62% of union members could not meet basic monthly expenses.
Other shocking statistics included 9% reporting they were homeless at least one time while working for the college and 22% reporting going hungry and not eating in the last 12 months.
Mediation between the two sides is set for next week on Sept 8 and 9.
"We are here to inform the University of Minnesota that the Teamsters aren't going to back down in their negotiations," Aldes said. "We are bargaining to stop the abuse of University of Minnesota service workers. We are here to bargain a living wage, respect in the workplace, and year-round work for teamsters."
The school released a statement saying the university will come to the mediation with the intention of bargaining in good faith.
"The University values the work of Teamsters 320 members and we hope to quickly reach an agreement that will allow us to attract, retain, and engage a diverse workforce," the school said in a statement. "We are proud to offer competitive wages and meaningful benefits in addition to creating a culture where employees can be their best."
But, some like Parcells say that the school needs to understand that they are more important than they get credit.
"We are the backbone of the university," Parcells said. "Without us, this place can not run. They need to realize that and respect us for that and give us a wage that represents that."
