Contributions to striking transit workers are reaching the $100,000 mark, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005 announced. Meanwhile, talks between the union and the Metropolitan Council continued late Monday, with no word on whether progress was being made.

Negotiations resumed Monday at an undisclosed location. It was the second bargaining session since the transit strike began March 4.

Local unions have contributed more than $91,000 to a hardship fund to support striking transit workers, said Jerry Ewald, financial secretary/treasurer of the union. "This is all from Minnesota locals," he said. Several checks have been as large as $5,000, including from Teamsters Joint Council 32, AFSCME Local 34, and Hotel and Restaurant Employees Local 17.

A number of AFSCME and MAPE locals -- which, like Local 1005, also represent public employees -- have contributed thousands of dollars combined, he said. In addition, donations have come from "a lot of just private people. I was overwhelmed," he said. "All these personal checks -- it's heart-warming."

Ewald said the local is directing most of the money to a food shelf at the Minneapolis Labor Center, which is distributing $25 food certificates to Cub Foods, a union grocer.

Transit workers anticipated a long strike, said Local 1005 member Tony Thomas of St. Paul, "but don't think we're not hurting. We're on strike. We're not getting paid." Strike pay from the international is $150 a week.

Health benefits ran out March 31; strikers have 60 days to decide whether to purchase health care on their own, which would cost them about $450 a month for individual coverage, $1,200 for family coverage.

The Twin Cities local also has appealed to other ATU locals across the country for help. "We have 180,000 ATU members around the country," Ewald said. "Once we put out the word we need help, they'll come through."

Compiled by Union Advocate editor Michael Kuchta and Minneapolis Labor Review editor Steve Share.