Sep 18, 2007 7:50 pm US/Central
'U' Students Supporting AFSCME Go On Hunger Strike
by Dennis Douda
Minneapolis (WCCO) ―
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The workers, represented by AFSCME, went on strike Sept. 5.
CBS
Students at the University of Minnesota are showing solidarity with striking AFSCME workers by going on a hunger strike.
The students are being joined by one professor and a university civil service employee.
"Students are ready to put our bodies on the line to get the University to negotiate fairly," said Tracy Molm, a hunger strike participant.
She said she's willing to do what it takes, including starve until the strike is resolved.
"Indefinitely, until there is a fair contract offered," said Molm. "We're water and juice hunger striking. So that we don't lose nutrients, but we are no solid foods and no smoothies, things like that."
There's mixed reaction on campus to the hunger strike.
"I don't think it should go to this extreme, to the point where people are going on hunger strikes for it ... and they are here to teach us so they should be teaching us," said U of M student, Julia Marotte.
"I am in support of the hunger strikers. It's not something I would personally do myself," said Michelle Langford.
The University issued a statement saying its unfortunate when people choose to use their personal health in a labor dispute.
Last Friday the union rejected an offer from the university. It would have provided workers a $300 lump sum during each year of the contract while keeping the base increases the same.
Meanwhile, striking workers say they are grateful for the support but they worry about the students.
"You hate to see anyone put their lives and their health on the line, but we do appreciate their support, it does mean a lot to us," said Kim Dery, AFSCME striker.
On September 5, about 3500 clerical, technical and health care workers walked off the job. They want a base salary increase more than the 2.25 to 2.5 percent offered by the university.
Phyllis Walker, the president of the local representing clerical workers, says union members have told their leaders that lump sums would not have "any lasting impact" on their wages.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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