Some 3,400 AFSCME members in three bargaining units ratified new contracts with the University of Minnesota, but union leaders say unhappiness with the pacts sets the stage for more difficult negotiations in the future.

"We're working now to get ready for the next contract negotiations," said Phyllis Walker, president of Local 3800, which represents university clerical workers. "We want to be in a position where we can strike in two years."

The vote in the clerical unit was 686 for and 203 against the new, two-year contract, Walker said. The turnout was much higher than in previous contract votes, she said, and indicated both more interest in the process and dissatisfaction with the outcome. The 2,100 clerical workers are represented by Local 3800 in the Twin Cities and Local 3801 in Duluth.

The vote among 1,100 university technical workers, represented by AFSCME Locals 3937 and 3801, was 322-70. Health care workers represented by AFSCME Local 3260 approved their contract 74-41.

Wages and health insurance were key issues in the negotiations. The contracts create a minimum wage of $12 an hour for any university employees working more than 50 percent time and provide 3 percent across-the-board pay raises for all workers in each fiscal year. However, the proposals also switch workers to the university's new health insurance plan, which adds out-of-pocket costs, doubles annual caps on prescription costs, and could force many workers to select new doctors and clinics, unions say.

"It (health care) is only going to get more expensive," said Walker. "It's never going to get better."

Carol Dunn, president of Local 3260, said about 40 percent of her membership will be adversely affected by the new health care provisions. They generally are members with someone in their family suffering from chronic illnesses or other serious health conditions.

For others, "it was the pay inequities people were upset about," she said.

Jody Ebert, president of Local 3937, said, "We're going to need to see how people are affected over the next two years by the health care changes, to help us in our negotiations next time."

University technical workers are employed across the state in a variety of jobs, creating a challenge for the union as an organization. "Our goal this next year is to have an even stronger tech union," Ebert said.

All of the contracts are subject to ratification by the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, which is expected to approve them.

Meanwhile, one group of university employees is still voting on its contract. Teamsters Local 320, which represents 1,300 drivers, custodians, and maintenance and food-service workers, is recommending that members ratify the university offer, said Sue Mauren, secretary-treasurer of the local. Mail ballots are due back Nov.12, she said.

The Union Advocate newspaper contributed information for this article.