AFSCME Contract Negotiations

• The University’s opening offer includes the following:
  • A 2% across-the-board wage increase in FY2026, contingent on AFSCME dropping their $30 minimum wage proposal.
  • An additional 1% market adjustment for the following job codes:
    • 4949 - Ophthalmic Technician
    • 4950 - Ophthalmic Technologist
    • 5091 - Pharmacy Technician
  • A salary increase aligned with the University’s Compensation Planning Instructions for FY2027 and FY2028.

The University currently offers eligible employees discounted parking rates for campus ramps and surface lots, as well as free transit passes.

The University agreed to add Juneteenth as a paid University holiday, but did not agree to add Indigenous Peoples’ Day.  With the inclusion of Juneteenth, the University provides 12 paid holidays per year.  

The University already provides coverage that includes reproductive and gender affirming care. For more information about our comprehensive medical coverage, please see the University’s Summary of Benefits for 2025.

The University currently provides the scholarship through the Regents Tuition Benefit Program at 100% tuition coverage for employees working toward their first undergraduate degree. Additionally, the University provides tuition coverage at 75% for all other eligible classes.

Tentative Agreement Reached Between the University of Minnesota and AFSCME 3800

We are pleased to share that on Wednesday, September 17, the University of Minnesota and AFSCME 3800 reached a tentative three-year agreement for its Healthcare, Clerical, and Technical contracts. A summary of the agreement is available for review on the Office of Human Resources website. Next, the union will bring the agreement to its members for a vote. Following approval by its union members, the agreement will be brought to the Board of Regents for a vote in October. 

Late this morning, after 25 hours of mediation, the University of Minnesota and AFSCME Local 3800—representing clerical, technical, and healthcare workers—reached a tentative agreement.

Additional details of the tentative agreement will be forthcoming. 

The Minnesota Bureau of Mediation Services (BMS) confirmed receipt of AFSCME Local 3800’s mediation petition. Two in-person mediation sessions between the University and AFSCME have been scheduled for September 16  and 23. Per BMS policy, mediation sessions are confidential and closed to the public and media.

The collective bargaining agreement expired June 30, 2025.

The University of Minnesota and AFSCME Local 3800 met on July 28 for the seventh session in this negotiation cycle. The University offered the following new counterproposals:

• Memorandum of Understanding: Indigenous People’s Day — If during the life of the Agreement the University implements a new paid holiday recognized as Indigenous People’s Day, then AFSCME-represented employees will be eligible for the new paid holiday.
• Memorandum of Understanding: Dependent Tuition Benefit Subsidy — If during the life of the Agreement the University implements a policy that subsidizes University tuition for children or dependents of University employees, then the policy will apply to AFSCME-represented employees.
• Recognition of immigration status and citizenship status as protected characteristics under national origin.

In an effort to reach an agreement, the University further revised its proposals and offered the following:

• Additional language clarifying graduation from a trainee to a non-trainee role once all licensure or certification requirements are complete.
• Decreasing the probationary extension period from eight to six weeks for Clerical and Technical employees.
• A revised wage proposal, which includes additional market adjustments and an increased shift differential. The new wage proposal includes the following:
  • A 2.25% across-the-board wage increase effective the first pay period following ratification by the Board of Regents, contingent on AFSCME dropping their $27.50 minimum wage proposal.
  • An additional 1% market adjustment for the following job codes:
    • 4949 - Ophthalmic Technician
    • 4950 - Ophthalmic Technologist
    • 5091 - Pharmacy Technician
  • An additional 0.5% market adjustment for the following job codes:
    • 5038 - Dental Assistant Specialist
    • 5039 - Dental Assistant
    • 5066 - Dental Hygienists
  • A salary increase aligned with the University’s Merit Compensation Planning Instructions for FY2027 and FY2028, or a 1% across-the-board salary increase, whichever is greater.
  • An increase in the shift differential for all three bargaining units from the current $.60 cents per hour to $.70 cents per hour (starting FY2027) and  $.75 cents per hour (starting FY2028). 

Despite the University’s movement, AFSCME Local 3800 decided to file for mediation through the Bureau of Mediation Services (BMS) on July 28. The University is prepared to continue the negotiations with the help of a mediator in an effort to reach new collective bargaining agreements for the Healthcare, Clerical and Technical contracts.  

Next Steps

Once the Bureau of Mediation Services confirms receipt of AFSCME’s mediation petition, the parties will work to schedule the next meeting. We will provide an update as soon as dates are confirmed.

The University of Minnesota and AFSCME Local 3800 met on July 9 for the sixth session in this negotiation cycle. The parties were able to reach a tentative agreement on the following item:

• Updated language regarding University-wide safety committees for the Clerical and Technical collective bargaining agreements.

The Union continues to bring new proposals to bargaining.  The Union presented a revised wage proposal, which includes the following:

• A new minimum wage of $27.50 for all job codes.
• An 8% wage increase for every AFSCME-represented employee for each contract year.

Next Steps

The current Collective Bargaining Agreements between the University and AFSCME Local 3800 expired June 30, 2025; however, the terms of the existing contracts remain in effect. The next bargaining sessions are scheduled for July 28 and August 6. They will be held both in person and virtually.

The University of Minnesota and AFSCME Local 3800 met on June 18 for their fifth session in this negotiation cycle. Discussions centered on workplace safety, trainee programs, and the University-paid time for Union duties. The parties were able to reach tentative agreements on the following items:

•  A package proposal in which the University will add problem-solving language to the Healthcare contract. In return, the Union agreed to proposed language changes related to the following Labor Management Committees:
  • Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Rights
  • Hiring Ideas to Address Systemic Racism
  • Respectful Workplace
• For the Clerical Bargaining Unit:
  • The addition of the PEAK Expression of Interest Process Memorandum of Understanding.

Next Steps

The current Collective Bargaining Agreements between the University and AFSCME Local 3800 expired on June 30. The University offered to meet on June 25 and June 30 in an effort to reach an agreement before the current contracts expired. If parties are unable to meet before June 30, the next AFSCME Local 3800 and U of M bargaining session is scheduled for July 9 and will be held in person and virtually.

The University of Minnesota and AFSCME Local 3800 met on June 4 for their fourth session in this negotiation cycle. During the meeting, the University and the three bargaining units tentatively agreed to renew the Transit Pass Memorandum of Understanding.

Additional topics and proposals discussed included:

• The Union’s proposals on University-paid time for Union duties.
• Probationary period length.
• Religious accommodations and availability of prayer space.

In the healthcare contract, the parties are nearing agreement on a package proposal in which the University would add problem-solving language to the contract. In return, the Union would agree to proposed language changes related to the following Labor Management Committees:

• Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Rights
• Hiring Ideas to Address Systemic Racism
• Respectful Workplace

Next Steps

The next AFSCME Local 3800 and U of M bargaining session is scheduled for June 18 and will be held in person and virtually.

The University of Minnesota and AFSCME Local 3800 met on May 21 for their third session in this negotiation cycle. Discussions centered on several key topics and proposals, including:

• The University’s economic proposal, which includes a 2% wage increase in the first year, along with an additional 1% increase for market adjustments for the following job classifications:
  • Ophthalmic Technician
  • Ophthalmic Technologist
  • Pharmacy Technician
• The University’s counterproposals on topics including employee wellness time, paid holidays, and bereavement leave.
• Workplace safety, which both parties agree is important to the University and its employees.

Next Steps

The next AFSCME Local 3800 and U of M bargaining session is scheduled for June 4 and will be held in person and virtually.

The University of Minnesota and AFSCME Local 3800 met on May 7, for their second session in this negotiation cycle. The parties were able to reach tentative agreements on the following items:

For all three bargaining units:

• Step Committee Letter Memoranda of Understanding renewed
• Health Benefits Review Memoranda of Understanding renewed

For Healthcare, Bargaining Unit 4

• The addition of language allowing employees to qualify for outstanding service awards, if their unit offers them.
• Vacation Periods Memorandum of Understanding, (p. 102) renewed
• Step Committee Letter Memorandum of Understanding (p. 103) renewed

For Clerical, Bargaining Unit 6

• Removal of Temporary No Post language (p. 17)
• Step Committee Letter Memorandum of Understanding (p. 126) renewed

For Technical, Bargaining Unit 7

• Removal of Temporary No Post language (p. 17)
• Step Committee Letter Memorandum of Understanding (p. 177) renewed

Next Steps

The next AFSCME Local 3800 and U of M bargaining session is scheduled for May 21, and will be held in person and virtually.

The University of Minnesota and AFSCME Local 3800 met on April 25, 2025, to begin negotiations on renewing the collective bargaining agreement, which expires on June 30, 2025. 

Next Steps

The next meeting date is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, 2025.