Strike over. We all lost.

After an all-day negotiation session, representatives of the union are going back to their members with the same offer the University made before. But because the strikers can no longer afford to lose their wages and their health benefits (if they don't work during the next two-week pay period), they are not holding out. I completely understand, but I hate hate hate the University's self-serving BS about how they are really giving them such a great deal
The Star Tribune article says this:

The two-year contract offer contains a 2.25 percent cost of living increase for clerical and technical workers, a 2.5 percent cost of living increase for health care workers, plus annual step raises for experience and a $300 lump sum in each year. Workers who don't receive step increases will get an additional $300 in each year. This offer will go to members without recommendation from the negotiating committee.

"We are forced back to work because we can no longer sustain the loss of salary and a looming end to our health care coverage. A typical striker earns $34,000 a years and qualifies for food stamps if supporting a family of four. We remain shocked by the administrations absolute disregard for people's lives," said Denise Osterholm, President of UMD Local 3.

About 1,000 of the 3,100 workers -- represented by AFSCME -- have been on strike since Sept. 5 over pay.

The university's position was that when combined with step raises for experience, most workers represented by AFSCME would receive raises of at least 8.5 percent for the contract’s two years

.