NORMAL. Ill. (WMBD) — Members of the United Faculty of ISU overwhelmingly approved an authorization to strike, in voting that ended at noon Friday.
The union has another federally mediated bargaining session scheduled with Illinois State University administrators Monday. But could issue a notice of intent to strike any time after that.
The parties also met in a 12-hour session on Wednesday. But ultimately the union chose to take the strike authorization vote.
“Our members have been voting from Wednesday night until noon today, and by an overwhelming and unstoppable majority they have voted to authorize the bargaining team to deliver the notice of intent to strike and ultimately call the strike if necessary,” Keith Pluymers, an associate history professor and bargaining team member for the union said.
UFISU’s key unresolved issue remains what they are calling fair compensation. The university’s current offer includes an annual 2.75% salary pool increase, but the union argues it’s not enough.
“Some members might see raises, some might not. And for some, they will be falling behind year after year, even though they are doing great work. To not even keep up with inflation, we have to engage in a competitive, performance-based process. It’s pretty insulting,” said Pluymers.
ISU spokesman Chris Coplan said the revised offer also includes 20 days of new paid parental leave. They are also proposing market average or above salaries for tenured faculty for similar positions at peer universities.
Union officials also say they are pushing for better working conditions, funding for work-related travel, and increased student access to mental health.
Pluymers reiterated, Union members “don’t want to go on strike,” but feel like they have no options. With 650 tenured and tenure-track professors in the union, Pluymers said a strike would be felt throughout the university.
The vote doesn’t mean a strike will happening. It only gives the union’s bargaining team the power to call for one if they decide it’s necessary. State law also requires the union to deliver a notice of intent to strike accompanied by a 10-day cooling off period before members can walk off the job.
A statement from Coplan said admiration has met with the faculty union for the, “42-negotiation-session on Wednesday, the seventh conducted with assistance from an independent federal mediator.”
The University’s most recent economic proposal can be found on the University’s contract negotiations status website.
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