AFSCME members at the University of Minnesota will lead a rally Thursday for affordable and accessible health care for all. Internationally-known folk singer and activist Billy Bragg will perform, the union announced.

The rally will run from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, on Northrop Plaza, 100 Church St. SE, on the University’s Minneapolis campus.

“Using the excuse of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), the U of M administration wants to take $1.8 million a year out of workers’ pockets and put it in the general fund,” AFSCME Local 3800 said in announcing the rally. “These take-backs would increase every employee's out of pocket health care costs and punish the lowest paid workers and those with chronic conditions.

“AFSCME workers are leading the charge in our collective bargaining sessions to stop these horrible changes, and are proposing a sliding scale plan that is equitable and doesn't punish the lowest paid workers.”

Local 3800 and the University are currently in contract negotiations. In addition to the sliding scale plan for health care, the union wants the administration to stop the cost-shifting to employees and the institution of deductibles and higher copays.