Tenure-track faculty at University of Illinois Springfield are on strike. The UIS United Faculty union announced the strike began at 12:01 a.m. Friday after months of negotiations failed to produce a new contract. The latest bargaining session on Thursday, which was the 18th according to a university statement, lasted 10 hours. UISUF representatives claim the latest offer from the university amount to a raise of only $16 per month in the first year. Union President Dathan Powell spoke to a rally of instructors and students on the UIS quad.
A UIS statment said the university is limited by fiscal constraints and is disappointed by the strike:
“The University of Illinois Springfield respects the right of the UPI Local 4100 tenured and tenure-track faculty to choose a work stoppage, but is disappointed that union members have chosen this course of action. Our faculty colleagues play a valuable role on our campus and contribute meaningfully to the student experience. The University and the Union have met for 18 bargaining sessions, including a 10-hour session last night, where we communicated our readiness and willingness to continue meeting in mediation. We remain hopeful the union will return to the table so negotiations can continue. UIS is committed to supporting students who are affected by the faculty’s decision to participate in a work stoppage and has plans in place to minimize the impact to them. The University continues to work toward a fair and fiscally responsible contract that serves the entire university community and hopes to reach a timely agreement with the Union.”
UIS has compiled information on the negotiations on its website (https://www.uis.edu/hr/labor-employee-relations/uis-bargaining/tenuretenure-track-chapter-upi-local-4100)
