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Those were sounds from a University of Minnesota Board of Regents meeting on Friday when more than 100 supporters of the U of M striking workers essentially shut down the meeting. Clerical, technical and healthcare workers at the university are on strike demanding a raise of 3.25 percent – equal to what other state employees have received. The meeting occupation on Friday resulted in five protesters leaving in handcuffs as the blocked the exit when a recess was called. The only regent to remain in his seat to hear out the protesters was Steven hunter who is also Secretary Treasurer of Minnesota’s AFL-CIO:

[Hunter]: “We have a problem right now, our support staff are not happy, they’re not worker, this is hurting them, this is hurting the University. There is a necessity for us to get back to the table. I know, in my conversations with the President, he wants to get a settlement, I hope we can get one as soon as possible. I hope that we can get this contract behind us and we can get a contract on the table and we can heal the wounds we have created in this community.”

More than 3000 workers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees are on strike at U of M campuses across the state. During a rally outside of the regents meeting a number of workers told stories of how they are suffering without a proper wage increase. Laurie Eisenshank, with her home in foreclosure, only has one luxury left.

[Eisenshank]: "...Caller i.d. So I can screen my calls from bill collectors."