FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Teamsters Local 320 Calls on University of Minnesota President to Decline Future Salary Increases Until Employee Healthcare Costs Are Addressed

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Teamsters Local 320, representing more than 1,400 University of Minnesota employees, is calling on University President Rebecca Cunningham to voluntarily decline any future salary increases until meaningful progress is made toward addressing the rising healthcare costs facing University workers and their families.

In a letter sent to President Cunningham, Teamsters Local 320 expressed concern about the growing financial strain from rising health insurance premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses, as well as uncertainty about future healthcare affordability.

"University employees are the foundation of this institution's success," said Erik Skoog Secretary-Treasurer and Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 320. "Every day, our members support the students and operations across the University. Yet many are struggling to absorb rising healthcare expenses that place significant burdens on their households."

While acknowledging that the President's compensation is established through processes approved by the Board of Regents, the union argues that voluntarily declining future salary increases would demonstrate solidarity with employees who continue to face increasing healthcare costs.

Teamsters Local 320 is specifically asking President Cunningham to:

• Publicly commit to declining any future salary increases until meaningful progress is made on employee healthcare affordability.
• Engage directly with employee representatives and stakeholders regarding healthcare concerns.
• Work with the Board of Regents and University leadership to identify sustainable strategies that reduce healthcare-related financial burdens on employees and their families.

"This request is not about assigning blame or suggesting that one person's salary can solve the University's healthcare challenges," Skoog's statement continued. "Rather, it is an opportunity for leadership to show a commitment to shared sacrifice and to reinforce that the well-being of employees remains a top institutional priority."