Chicago, IL – Clerical workers at the University of Illinois – Chicago (UIC) are celebrating after scoring a big victory in contract negotiations. The fight for this contract had dragged on over two years. When the last contract expired in August 2006, management’s team under the new vice chancellor, John Loya, took a very hard attitude in the first bargaining sessions. Management’s proposals included a new formula for wages that called for subtracting anniversary raises that are part of the seniority system for these workers. Willie English, a staff representative for SEIU (Service Employees International Union) Local 73, pointed out that this move “…would have resulted in employees falling behind the cost of living.”

Solidarity Pours In From Across The Country

Fight Back! is circulating the following statement issued by the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

St. Paul, MN – On September 1, the opening day of the Republican National Convention, 30,000 people rallied at the Minnesota State Capitol and marched against the war. It was the largest anti-war march in the U.S. this year.

St. Paul, MN – A coalition of Twin Cities area organizations marked the sixth anniversary of U.S. military combat operations in Iraq with a march and rally of about 500 people, March 21, calling for an immediate end to the U.S. wars and occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Fight Back News Service has posted a podcast of Jess Sundin, a member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization and one of the leading organizers of the Sept. 1 and Sept. 4 anti-war demonstrations at the Republican National Convention. Sundin speaks on the lessons that can be learned from the protests at the RNC.

Just after the protest, Fight Back! caught up with Jose Artemio Arreola, a key organizer of the massive protest for immigrant rights that rocked Chicago, March 10. He explained how the Coalition Against HR 4437 built the unity necessary for a turnout of such proportion.

Iowa City, IA – After 4 years of no pay raises, nurses at the Veterans Administration Hospital took action. Following a change in union leadership, stewards and active members of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Local 2547 got organized.

Iowa City, IA – A powerful living wage campaign is underway in Johnson County. This fall, a measure will be put before the county board that wold require any company getting county money to pay enough for a family to get by on.

Iowa City, IA – Nurses and other professional staff at the University of Iowa hospitals and clinics won a great victory over a hostile management. Following up on a successful organizing drive, they pushed for, and won a decent contract. They are now represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Minneapolis, MN – More than 100 workers rallied here March 12 against a proposed cut to the Regents Scholarship, a benefit that allows University of Minnesota employees to take classes without paying tuition.

St Paul, MN – Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bail Out organized a picket line at the Minnesota Department of Revenue Building, where Governor Pawlenty proposed his plan to address the $5.2 billion budget deficit, Jan. 27.

Minneapolis, MN – State Senators John Marty and Patricia Torres-Ray and State Representative Frank Hornstein held a press conference, Sept. 18 support of striking University of Minnesota AFSCME workers.

Minneapolis, MN – Ten registration, scheduling and insurance processing staff who had been working at Boynton Health Services joined the picket lines, Sept. 13. When asked why they joined the picket lines all agreed that, “We wanted to join the picket lines to support all of our co-workers who have been out on the lines before us.” Tammy Harris, Boynton outpatient clinic assistant said, “I went out on strike because I want change.”

Minneapolis, MN – University faculty and students held a press conference, Sept. 11, to decry disruptions caused by the strike and demand the University come back to the table with a fair wage offer.

Minneapolis, MN – Sept. 10 marked day 6 of the strike by University of Minnesota AFSCME. Picket lines remain strong as does worker participation in the strike. The strike is having a growing impact on the University of Minnesota.

Minneapolis, MN – Over 650 people turned out to a rally held by striking AFSCME workers on the plaza of McNamara Alumni Center on September 7. The crowd included State Representative and Chair of the House Finance Committee, Lyndon Carlson, Secretary of State Mark Richie, representatives from unions across the Twin Cities, students, faculty, staff, and activists.

Thousands rally in support

Minneapolis, MN – Amid cheering striking workers, students and faculty, Elizabeth Edwards, wife of presidential candidate John Edwards, spoke in support of University of Minnesota clerical, technical and health care workers, Sept. 5. The rally was one of the high points in the first day of the strike.

St Paul, MN – At a Labor Day press conference, University of Minnesota AFSCME leaders blasted attempts by the employer to inflict a lousy contract on university workers. AFSCME workers then marched in the Saint Paul Area Trades and Labor Assembly Labor Day parade to raise awareness of the economic injustice at the University of Minnesota.