Striking Illinois State University workers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1110 will march from the corner of North Street and Broadway Avenue to Hovey Hall Thursday as contract negotiations with the Illinois State University administration remain unresolved.
AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch emphasized the support AFSCME Local 1110 is receiving from the community.
“ISU students, their families, faculty and alumni agree that ISU workers should be fairly paid and that university administration should reach a fair contract settlement now,” Lynch said. “The only people standing in the way are President Tarhule and his team.”
“It’s beyond comprehension why university administration is causing so much chaos for the community it’s supposed to serve,” Lynch continued.
An email from Division of Student Affairs Vice President Levester Johnson was sent to all students. It said:
“University leadership’s focus in negotiations continues to be on reaching a resolution that is competitive in the local marketplace and fiscally sustainable,” Johnson said. “The university’s bargaining team remains willing to meet with the union bargaining team to continue to try to resolve the remaining issues.”
AFSCME Local 1110 President Chuck Carver, an ISU building service worker, spoke on the failed attempt at renegotiation.
“By refusing to negotiate, they’re prolonging the pain for us, [and] for students and faculty and the whole Redbird community.”
AFSCME Local 1110 and university administrators met Wednesday with a federal mediator for the first time in a week. The union’s representatives said they presented a revised proposal, but administration officials did not offer changes and maintained their previous terms.
More than 300 university employees remain on strike after work stoppages began on April 8. According to AFSCME Local 1110, some workers earn starting wages of $16.60 per hour and have not received a pay increase in nearly two years.
University administration has not released a public statement following the meeting.
Andrew Dobra is a news and features reporter for The Vidette. Dobra can be contacted at asdobra@ilstu.edu.
IF YOU SUPPORT THE VIDETTE MISSION of providing a training laboratory for Illinois State University student journalists to learn and sharpen viable, valuable and marketable skills in all phases of digital media, please contribute to this most important cause. Thank you.
