UIS faculty goes on strike as agreement not met for union contract

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — University of Illinois Springfield United Faculty (UISUF) members officially went on strike Friday morning as Chancellor Janet Gooch and UIS administration failed to reach an agreement with the union.

The union said members will kick off day one of the strike with picketing and a solidarity rally and press conference with union leaders, members, students and lawmakers.

The union initially voted to authorize a strike on March 19. The strike started Friday, April 3. Picketing starts at 9:30 a.m. with a rally and press conference at 10:30 a.m.

Picketing will be on the quad, with the rally and press conference happening on the quad at the UIS colonnade.

The union shared a statement saying, "After months of bargaining and mediation, we are disappointed that 6 highly-paid UIS administrators chose to force a faculty strike rather than offer front line workers fair pay with meaningful raises, the resources we need to do our work, and no 'take backs' from previous contracts. The administration's last pay offer would have provided faculty a $16/month raise for this academic year—not even a tank of gas! The University of Illinois has an $8.3 BILLION budget. It can afford to pay frontline workers fair pay with the same REAL raises administrators give themselves! UIS faculty should watch their personal email and/or texts for directions from strike captains and plan to meet at the UIS colonnade at 9:30am Friday morning! UIS students can find the latest info from the union via email, this Facebook account, and our WordPress blog. We ask that you urge Chancellor Gooch to return to bargaining and settle a fair contract!"

In a statement sent Friday morning, UIS Administration said, "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."