Tentative agreement reached, strike ends at U of M campuses

DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) - The picketing happening at University of Minnesota campuses statewide is now over.

According to the Teamsters Local 320 Union, the University Teamsters Negotiating Team is putting forward a tentative agreement, which was approved on Friday at midnight.

Teamsters Local 320 Union President Erik Skoog wrote on social media, saying the strike settlement offer meets their demands.

The agreement is for three years and provides a 3.5% increase in the first two years and a 3% increase in the final year. The new agreement keeps the expiration date of June 30.

A system-wide vote is still being developed, as it will take a simple majority to complete the tentative agreement process.

Union members around the state walked off their campus jobs on Tuesday.

Teamsters Local 320 represents 1,400 custodial, maintenance, and food service workers, including nearly 170 workers at the UMD campus.

The union’s last contract ended on June 30, and they’ve been negotiating with the university since March.

Below is a joint statement from Teamsters Local 320 and University of Minnesota:

In the spirit of cooperation, Teamsters Local 320 and the University of Minnesota have put their differences aside and come to a resolution in order to support the greater good of our University students, faculty and staff, farmers and Minnesota residents.

The Farm Labor Movement originated in Minnesota and the Dakotas with a proud history that is recognized to this very day. The University of Minnesota began as an agricultural school and remains a vital part of Minnesota agriculture.

Both parties look forward to returning to working to support our vital teaching, research, and outreach mission.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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