U of M workers walked off the job starting Monday night, disrupting campus services across Minnesota. The strike affects dining, trash removal, and maintenance, with workers demanding better pay.
- University of Minnesota staff strike begins Monday night
- Strike affects dining, trash, and maintenance services
- Negotiations between union and university have failed
- Union rejected university’s final contract offer
- Striking workers receive $1,000 weekly benefits
- University commits to maintaining essential services
On September 9, 2025, Teamsters Local 320, representing 1,400 maintenance, food, and janitorial staff, started striking at multiple campuses. The strike began at Crookston and Morris on Monday night, then expanded to Duluth early Tuesday, and the Twin Cities later that evening. Negotiations with the university have failed, leading to this action after the union rejected a final contract offer that included small raises and a $1,000 bonus.
- The strike started at 10 p.m. Monday at Crookston and Morris campuses.
- Workers in Duluth joined at 4 a.m. Tuesday, with Twin Cities following at 7 p.m.
- The union rejected the university’s final offer, which included a 3% raise in 2025-26 and a $1,000 bonus.
- 82% of union members voted against the proposal, citing low pay and poor conditions.
The university says it will maintain essential services despite the strike. The union plans to continue striking until demands are met, supported by weekly strike benefits of $1,000. The disruption highlights ongoing tensions over wages and working conditions at the university.
Next steps depend on negotiations. The strike could continue, affecting campus operations and student life if unresolved.
