The University of Minnesota’s Teamsters Local 320, a Minneapolis workers’ union chapter, rejected the University’s final offer by 82% in a vote on Friday and may strike at a later date. 

The rejection follows a statement shared with the Minnesota Daily on Wednesday, projecting the offer would be turned down at the final vote.

Another statement released by the chapter reiterated its demands to the University and affirmed its right to strike.

As of Tuesday morning the University has confirmed the ongoing Teamsters strike, and detailed the potential impact of a Twin Cities campus strike here. Information on other campuses can be found at the University Office of Human Resources. 

“Today, Teamsters have sent a shot across the bow to the University of Minnesota community,” lead negotiator Jackson Kerr said in the statement. “​Our goal is not to strike but to secure an agreement that meets the needs of University Teamsters.”   

The Teamsters strike is going to impact the University’s dining services, housing and residential life, parking and transportation services, custodial, maintenance, and other campus services, according to a Monday email from University public relations. 

The University’s Vice President for Human Resources, Ken Horstman, said in a systemwide email that the University hopes to reach a resolution with employees that balances financial considerations with employee demands. 

“We hope a resolution can be reached that supports our employees and ensures that the University remains a good financial steward,” Horstman said. “Above all, we are committed to minimizing the impact on our students and maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment for all.”

The Teamsters announced in early August that they filed an intent to strike with the University as labor bargaining negotiations stagnated. The University presented Teamsters with its “Last, Best, and Final Offer” on August 19, with Teamsters postponing their strike to take the offer to a vote. 

Following prolonged summer negotiations, Teamsters members are taking a hard line with their contract demands. According to Teamsters member Grady Johnson, the responsibility is on the University to end the dispute. 

Johnson said that the labor union is facing an immense pressure and struggle in stagnating negotiations with the University. 

“It’s kind of a frustrating position when we feel that we are so close to getting something that we cannot accept, and the University is really digging in,” Johnson said. “We also feel confident that we can stand up to them, and we can stand up to the administration.” 

Because of these disagreements, Johnson said the labor union is preparing to stand strong and ready the picket line. 

“We are prepared, and what that looks like is, you know, we have enhanced strike benefits going to anyone who will be on the picket line,” Johnson said. “We’re willing to picket and conduct a strike until the University is willing to meet our demands.” 

A member of the chapter shared in a Wednesday statement that it was likely to turn down the University’s final offer, though voting continued at the University’s Duluth and Crookston campuses. 

Teamsters’ negotiators are seeking an agreement that matches or exceeds wage increases offered to other unions and maintenance of other progress made at the bargaining table so far. 

The University’s current offer is slated to expire in December 2026, putting the chapter out of sync with other union contracts at the University.

To Teamsters members like Marissa Bremer-Roark, contract negotiations represent an opportunity for University employees to keep pace with the rising cost of living and remain on schedule with other union contracts on campus. She said that with increases to employee health insurance premiums, even the 3.5% wage increase the Teamsters has been seeking would not do much to improve employees’ living situations.

“That (3.5%) is what we’ve come down to,” Bremer-Roark said. “That’s still not going to do a whole lot to counteract the 10.2% increase to our healthcare premiums. I’ve never made so much money and been so broke.”

A previous statement from the University said medical premium increases for 2026 would be 9.7%, not the 10.2% reported by Teamsters.

According to Bremer-Roark, Teamsters membership is committed to seeing their demands met. 

“The membership is organized,” Bremer-Roark said. “We’ve been doing our best to be really transparent with the membership, and with that transparency, we’ve been able to build consensus.”

In his email, Horstman said that the University is prepared for such disruptions should they occur.

“We have a comprehensive plan in place if a strike occurs,” Horstman said. “In that situation, some delays or minor disruptions may occur, and we appreciate your patience and understanding.”

A prior update from the University indicated that residence halls, dining services, classrooms and other facilities on campus may experience changes to hours as a result of a strike. 

“The University knows where our finish line is,” Johnson said. “They can avoid a strike and settle a contract within minutes.”