UMN-GLU Votes Down University Labor Proposal

UMD grad students rally for better wages, benefits, and policies on Friday, Sept. 13 outside Kirby Transit Center. Photo by Grant Jones

The UMD Graduate Labor Union voted against a labor contract proposal brought forth by the University of Minnesota on Oct. 8. 

The proposal, which called for a $25/hour wage for graduate students and a one-time payment of $750 to offset fees, was considered insufficient by the UMN-GLU. 98% of the union voted against the proposal, arguing that these proposals do not meet the needs of its members. 

Wages and fees have been the top two issues for the UMN-GLU in their ongoing negotiations with the University. Daniel Banegas, a grad student and labor committee member, said that while there was improvement on behalf of the university, it was not enough. 

“They wanted to give everybody a raise up to [$25], which, I think, in Duluth could sound good…up from [$22] potentially up to [$25], that’s better,” said Banegas. “But we had a big CAT [Contract Action Team] meeting…what was discussed was like, even if it’s [$25], it’s way below a living wage for somebody who’s single, and that’s not even taking into account people with kids and other responsibilities.”

The UMD “Cost-of-Attendence” website shows that graduate students are charged $1,650 per year for “required fees.” Under the rejected proposal, graduate students would be given a one-time payment of $750 to help offset that. To Banegas, the offer was “insulting.” 

The UMN-GLU has one more round of negotiations with the university. If the parties are unable to come to an agreement, the UMN-GLU will vote on authorization for a strike.