CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — SEIU Local 73, the union representing building and service workers, said there was no offer on Friday during a bargaining session with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
“We are disappointed that University management have failed to take negotiations seriously while continually posting threats against the workers,” said Joseph Richert, SEIU Local 73 Secretary-Treasurer. “From suspending civil service rules to intimidating workers about their access to healthcare, management continues to demonstrate a lack of respect for these essential employees. Our members are fully prepared to strike for as long as it takes to secure a contract that provides a living wage."
WAND News has reached out to the U of I for comment.
The SEIU Local 73 Bargaining team say they put a proposal forward, with no response from management. They say they chose to end the negotiations early. Their next bargaining session is on Monday, Sept. 23 at 2 p.m.
“The chancellors and presidents of the U of I system continually disrespect its workers and the work we do to keep these campuses running,” said Melody Decker, Chapter 119 President and Building Service Worker. “The short staffing in our departments is a direct result of their unwillingness to provide us with a living wage. Every time our contracts are up, we have to beg, plead, and fight for them to give us a few more pennies in our paychecks. They truly are deplorable!”
Union officials say UIUC management issued notices in the past five days requiring a doctors note for any sick time taken, which they say is in direct violation of their existing collective bargaining agreement and the Illinois Education Labor Relations Act. They add, management has posted notices threatening workers loss of wages, which they say is an attempt to persuade workers to not strike.
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