U of Minnesota Alumni Support University Employees

Dear President Bruininks:







As University of Minnesota alumni, we are writing to express our deep dismay at the administration's failure to bargain in good faith with striking University employees. We support the University of Minnesota clerical, healthcare, and technical workers in their demands for a contract that compensates them fairly for the work they do for the university.







As alumni, we are proud of our University of Minnesota education, and value the years we spent at the University. However, the recent turn of events has made it hard for us to be proud of our alma mater. It is not just unfair, but also unproductive to keep a large class of university employees stagnating at wages that do not even keep up with inflation, while administrators receive large salary increases. Our concern is even more pronounced because the legislature appropriated funds precisely for staff compensation. Your refusal to use this money as the legislature intended is an insult to the employees now on strike, the entire university community, and the voters of Minnesota.







As Minnesota regent Steven Hunter said, "[T]he support staff is the oil that lets the engine run. If you've ever tried driving a car without oil, you'll find out what happens." Clerical, healthcare and technical workers are crucial employees who help to make the University of Minnesota an exceptional place to get an education. To not recognize that fact by compensating them accordingly is an embarrassment to an otherwise great institution.







Our grave concern on this matter leads us to announce our intention to withhold all future alumni donations until and unless the clerical, healthcare, and technical workers of AFSCME Locals 3260, 3800, 3801, and 3937 are given a deal that is equitable and respects their contributions to our university community.