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University of Minnesota employees represented by Teamsters Local 320 protested at the Washington, D.C. residence of Geir Haarde, Iceland’s ambassador to the U.S., Thursday night, December 14. Ambassador Haarde, a University of Minnesota alumnus, was hosting a holiday reception for D.C. area alumni.
Outside the reception Teamsters held banners that read, “Stop Worker Abuse at University of Minnesota,” and “Ambassador Haarde: Uphold Iceland’s Values.” Haarde was Iceland’s prime minister from 2006- 2009. Iceland is known for its support of workers and workers’ rights and the University of Minnesota shares a close relationship with the state-run University of Iceland.
“No employer in Iceland would ever get away with how the University of Minnesota is treating its lowest-paid workers,” said Curt Swenson, Vice President of Teamsters Local 320. “Ambassador Haarde should let the University know that Icelanders expect the U to uphold their values.”
Haarde also received a letter from the Federation of General and Special Workers in Iceland encouraging him to stand in support of the University staff.
More than 1,500 service workers at the University of Minnesota are represented by Teamsters Local 320. They have been trying to negotiate a contract that makes up for increased costs of living and provides fairer treatment to workers who take maternity leave or leave to care for a loved one.
Sara Parcells, a sixteen-year University employee who traveled from Minneapolis to Washington, D.C., spoke with Ambassador Haarde inside the reception. “I told the ambassador about how I’m a single mother of two kids,” Parcells said. “I told Mr. Haarde that my wages haven’t kept up with the cost of living. Even after 16 years of service, the U doesn’t pay me enough to be able to afford Christmas presents for my kids.”
University gardener Rhonda Andreen also spoke with Ambassador Haarde. “I told the ambassador that I have to have a second job to pay my bills because I don’t make enough at the University of Minnesota.”
Parcells, Andreen and others who spoke with Haarde reported that he was reluctant to get involved despite their stories.