UMass Unions Will Go Ahead With Picketing Despite Wage Deal

Labor unions at UMass Dartmouth are going ahead with plans to set up an informational picket line Saturday morning on campus.  That's the day when parents and prospective students are visiting the Dartmouth university.

On Thursday, the UMass Board of Trustees voted to free up money to pay employees negotiated pay raises that had been delayed for months.  However retroactive pay was not included.

AFSCME Council 93 Political Action Director Jim Durkin says the Trustees action was a good first step, but the picketing will go on as scheduled.  Durkin says the unions will not yield, till their members receive every penny they're owed under the contract.

When asked if the unions were trying to embarrass the university, Durkin said the unions are not trying to embarrass anyone, but rather they're trying to bring attention to an issue that needs to be addressed.