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Non-tenure track faculty with UIS authorize strike

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — After two days of voting, members of the University of Illinois-Springfield Instructors United (UISIU) announced Wednesday that they voted to authorize a strike. Although this does not guarantee that the UISIU members will strike, it gives the bargaining team the authority to call one if a fair agreement is not reached. New program saves Illinois public college students thousands of dollars 'The results of our strike authorization vote say it all: Our members have had enough, and time is running out. Chancellor Gooch and her team must finally take these negotiations seriously and show they value our work. Otherwise, we will have no choice but to strike,' Scott Fenton, UIS English instructor, said. Fenton said that despite a year of bargaining, they have not made much progress with the university. 'We have been bargaining for a full year and have yet to see any substantive movement on critical issues, including reasonable workloads and improved job security. Last fall, we were forced to demand federal mediation and file Unfair Labor Practice charges to pressure this administration to bargain in good faith, as required by law,' Fenton said. 'Still the chancellor and her team refuse to make meaningful proposals or demonstrate respect for our members.' According to a statement from a University of Illinois-Springfield spokesperson, the university will work to create an agreement that supports the campus as a whole. UIS is aware that the non-tenure track faculty union has voted to authorize a strike. The university is committed to negotiating a fair and fiscally responsible collective bargaining agreement that supports the needs of the entire campus community. UIS has reached tentative agreements on several issues, with additional mediation sessions scheduled. UIS Spokesperson Advocates, Central Illinois lawmakers call for more protections for Mahomet Aquifer Before calling a strike, the union is required to file a 10-day notice of intent with Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB). John Miller, president of the University of Professionals of Illinois, shared a statement on the UISIU's members decision to strike. Higher education professionals are being forced to fight for job security and respect all across the country, but it is sad to see that the outstanding professionals in our prized University of Illinois system must do the same. Students deserve the best. They can only get that when their educators have the time and working conditions necessary to provide high-quality instruction. Chancellor Gooch must prioritize student needs and avoid a strike by reaching a fair agreement with faculty immediately. John Miller The UISIU represents 40 full time, non-tenure track (NTT) faculty at the University of Illinois-Springfield (UIS). They organized in January of last year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.