University of Minnesota and Teamsters Reach Tentative Agreement, Ending Strike — Farm Aid 40 to Proceed as Planned

University of Minnesota and Teamsters Reach Tentative Agreement, Ending Strike — Farm Aid 40 to Proceed as Planned

The strike at the University of Minnesota, which began earlier this week, has ended after Teamsters Local 320 announced late Friday, September 12, that a tentative agreement had been reached with the university.

The strike, which involved approximately 1,400 custodial, maintenance, food service, and sanitation workers across the Twin Cities, Duluth, Crookston, and Morris campuses, came to a close following a major rally by the union on Friday evening. Workers began walking out on Monday, September 8, after rejecting the university’s earlier “last, best, and final” offer.

In a joint statement, the union and university said they had “put their differences aside and come to a resolution in order to support the greater good.” Teamsters Local 320 President Eric Skoog confirmed the settlement offer met the union’s core demands, signaling a breakthrough after a week of tense negotiations.

Details of the Agreement

While the agreement still requires ratification by union members, sources indicate it includes:

• A three-year contract;
• Annual wage increases of 3.5% in the first year, 3.5% in the second year, and 3% in the third;
• Retention of the June 30 expiration date, a key point of contention in earlier proposals.

This represents a significant improvement over the university’s previous offer, which proposed a 3% raise in the first year and 2% in the second.

Farm Aid 40 Cleared to Go On

The resolution has also removed uncertainty hanging over Farm Aid 40, the nonprofit’s milestone anniversary concert scheduled for Saturday, September 20, at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The event had been in jeopardy because Farm Aid’s production crew—also union members—had declared they would not cross Teamsters’ picket lines.

With the strike suspended, Farm Aid organizers confirmed the concert will proceed as planned. In a statement, the organization expressed gratitude for the agreement, noting: “For four decades, Farm Aid has stood with farmers and workers. This resolution is a reminder of what can be achieved when people come together in the spirit of fairness and solidarity.”

The potential cancellation had drawn national attention. Farm Aid founder Willie Nelson personally raised concerns with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who responded publicly: “We’ll get ’er done, Willie.”

Star-Studded Lineup

Farm Aid 2025 will bring the festival to Minnesota for the first time. The lineup features its founders and board members Willie Nelson & Family, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp, alongside Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds and Margo Price. Other artists include Kenny Chesney, Billy Strings, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Trampled by Turtles, and Wynonna Judd.

In addition to live performances, the all-day festival will showcase local and organic foods, educational exhibits, and programming designed to support family farmers.

Significance

The end of the strike not only delivers long-sought wage increases and contract protections for University of Minnesota service workers but also ensures that one of the nation’s most high-profile benefit concerts can proceed without disruption. For both the university community and Farm Aid, the agreement stands as a moment of solidarity and resolution.

MinneapoliMedia