LiUNA Local 955 calls for restoration of MU Health Care benefits, higher wages during campus rally

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Members and supporters of Laborers' Local 955 marched through the University of Missouri's campus on Thursday and called for "livable wages" outside of the school's new $250 million north end zone renovations.

It was the opening game for the Mizzou Tigers' season, and the first with the new upgrades to Memorial Stadium. It was a project many of the union members helped to build, but those same folks say they are struggling to make ends meet.

"A lot of our members make less than $19 an hour," LiUNA Local 955 spokesman Andrew Hutchinson said. "Many of them work second jobs or have to commute from outside of Columbia just to have a cheaper rent, cheaper cost of living."

LiUNA Local 955 has three requests for the university:

• A minimum wage of $19 per hour.
• Cost-of-living and market adjustments made to employees who make more than $19 per hour.
• The reversal of recent benefit changes made at MU Health Care.

The board of curators announced at the end of August that it had approved reducing total paid time off days for healthcare workers by three days, a reduction in retirement pension matching and the elimination of holiday pay, except on Veterans Day.

Hutchinson said the decision was made outside of the union and university's normal negotiation period.

"I think MU Health Care and MU campus and UMKC have been taking steps to see 'What is the least amount we can pay?' and 'What is the least amount we can provide in benefits?" Hutchinson said.

Jeff Hoffman is a university maintenance worker that attended Thursday's rally. He said the cuts make him feel forgotten.

"It makes me feel like they're more concerned about money than they are their employees. And they forget that the employees are what makes the hospital just as much as the building," Hoffman said.

Some students were also walking alongside the group in support. Alice Carter and Charlie Almandinger expressed the importance university workers.

"Supporting the new workers is very important," MU senior Charlie Almandinger said. "They are essential, we cannot run without them."

The changes at MU Health Care would not go into effect until Jan. 1. Hutchinson said LiUNA Local 955 is in negotiations with the university for their requests.

Hutchinson said he wants an agreement by the end of the year, but is not sure when one would be finalized. He said he is confident a deal will be reached.