Negotiation Updates
May 21, 2026
The University of Minnesota and the AFSCME Council 5, Law Student Labor Union (LSLU), met on May 21, for the seventh session in this negotiation cycle.
In this session, the parties reached several new tentative agreements on the following articles:
- Recognition
- Union Dues
- Training and Professional Development
- Labor Management Committee
To date, both parties reached agreements on the following articles:
- Agreement
- Duration
- Entire Agreement
- Posting of Agreement
As the University enters the summer term, it was agreed to adjust the bargaining schedule to accommodate internships, varying work hours, and individual time commitments. Parties will also transition to a modified summer schedule, targeting one session each in July and August. A final schedule will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Updates Archive
April 3 & April 24, 2026
The University of Minnesota and the AFSCME Council 5, Law Student Labor Union (LSLU), met on April 3 and April 24, for the fifth and sixth sessions in this negotiation cycle.
To date, the parties have agreements on the following articles:
- Agreement
- Duration
- Entire Agreement
- Posting of Agreement
The next bargaining session is scheduled for May 21.
February 20, 2026
The University of Minnesota and the AFSCME Council 5, Law Student Labor Union, held a third bargaining session on February 20, 2026.
During the most recent session, both parties reached agreement on the following article:
- Article: Entire Agreement
To date, the parties have agreements on the following articles:
- Article: Agreement
- Article: Posting of Agreement
The parties will meet every other week for the foreseeable future, with the next bargaining session scheduled for March 6, 2026.
January 13 & February 6, 2026
The University of Minnesota and the AFSCME Council 5, Law Student Labor Union, held an opening bargaining session on January 13, 2026, and a second bargaining session on February 6, 2026.
To date, the parties have reached two tentative agreements:
- Article: Agreement
- Article: Posting of Agreement
The parties will meet every other week for the foreseeable future, with the next bargaining session scheduled for February 20, 2026.
April 4, 2025
Bureau of Mediation Services Certifies Union
On April 4, 2025, AFSCME MN Council 5 petitioned to represent legal project assistants at the University of Minnesota Law School. With majority support confirmed through valid authorization cards, the Bureau of Mediation Services (BMS) certified the union as the exclusive representative on June 4, 2025.
View the Certification of Exclusive Representation Order online (Google Doc).
Next Steps
Negotiations will begin once scheduling is arranged between the University and the Union. Once confirmed, negotiation session dates will be posted on this page.
Negotiation Dates
The University and AFSCME Council 5, Law Student Labor Union (LSLU) have met for negotiations on the following dates:
- January 13
- February 6
- February 20
- March 6
- April 3
- April 24