Members and supporters of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 284, gathered at the corner of Rolling Ridge Drive and Bank St. in Becker on Tuesday July 2, 2024.  

The rally began at 5 p.m. and was held to inform the public about upcoming negotiations with the Becker School District.   The SEIU supports custodians, food service workers, paraeducators, and clerical staff.  According to Riecher Denmark, Contract Organizer for Local 284, the union was offered an offer for settlement by the district.  That offer was brought before the union on May 16, 2024 and “was overwhelmingly rejected.”

Better Wages, Staffing, and Health Care

Union members after rejecting the offer, voted to authorize a strike.  However, negotiations will continue tomorrow.  Luke Varien, Communications Coordinator, said the union is “looking for a fair contract.  Better than the offer they gave.

Deb Lannoye, Daily Custodian for Becker Middle School elaborated.  

“We’re negotiating for fair wages for supporting staff, better staffing, and more affordable health care,” she said. “People are leaving and they’re cutting positions. We used to have a crew of 24 custodians.  We’re down to 16 or 17 custodians because they keep running part-time people.”

According to Lannoye, the district has been short staffed all year.  

“The district will say that COVID has caused shortages, but the shortages have been prior to COVID,”  she said. “We just want a fair raise.  We’ve been fighting since last July 1st for a cost of living raise. We’re just trying to make the community aware because the district isn’t always being truthful about what’s happening.”

Candidate Supports Union

Jeanne Hendricks, DFL candidate for U.S. Congress Minnesota 6th District, was at the rally.  

“I wanted to show support for education in general and for the SEIU,” she said.  “They deserve a fair wage, not to have a second job, and have affordable health care.  They deserve these things.”

Local drivers showed support as well by honking as they passed.  At around 6 p.m., the rally broke up and the street corner in front of the Speedway was cleared.