Strike authorization vote Friday for hundreds of union workers at ISU

Posted on March 24, 2022

*Neither side is providing specifics about wage proposals, although the university created a website about the status of negotiations. (Facebook/Bone Student Center)*

NORMAL – The union representing about 350 Illinois State University workers are scheduled to vote Friday whether to authorize its bargaining team to call a strike.

The university and American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1110 have met for a 20th negotiating session on Tuesday, but they did not reach an agreement on wages for employees who work in building services, dining, and grounds maintenance. They’ve been working under a contract that expired in June of last year.

Union spokesperson Anders Lindall said results of the vote will be announced Monday. A vote authorizing the bargaining team to call a strike does not mean a walkout is imminent, according to Lindall.

Neither side is providing specifics about wage proposals, although the university created a website about the status of negotiations.

The administration pledges to “continue meaningful negotiations” with the union, noting the two sides have reached tentative agreements on 16 proposals, although it claims union bargainers have not responded to the university’s wage offer from March 2.

“While a strike is always possible, the University remains optimistic that the parties will reach agreement without the need for a strike,” administrators said on the website’s ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ page.

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