Following the invasion and occupation of the Admin building, Morrel hall, the original group of seventeen students were granted a press-free meeting with Bruininks on Thursday morning at nine. A rally was held outside, of both striking workers and supportive students, to remind the U of MN President how little support for his position existed.
Despite the efforts of the students and the rally, the meeting failed, and the students threatened with arrest if they did not leave Morrel hall by closing, at six PM.
Just before they were arrested, with a support rally again taking place outside, the students left the hall with the information that negotiations with the Clerical workers would open tomorrow. I'm just back from the picket lines, which are being left unguarded as the workers go back to HQ and plan for those negotiations.
If things go well, 'business as usual,' except better, for the courage of the strikers, will resume early next week, with President Robert Bruininks sharing as much of the pain as possible.
Until then, we'll be holding strong. Oops, look at that. Two weeks on the picket line, and I've become possessive. I'm not a member of AFSCME Local 3800.