UIS faculty could strike Friday if agreement not met for union contract

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — University of Illinois Springfield United Faculty (UISUF) members will go on strike Friday unless Chancellor Janet Gooch and UIS administration can reach an agreement with the union before then.

The union said members will kick off day one of the strike with picketing and a solidarity rally and press conference with union leaders, members, students and lawmakers.

There are several scheduled speakers, including State Senator Doris Turner.

"It is clear that Chancellor Gooch and this administration have no respect for faculty or our work educating students, so they have given us no choice but to strike," said UISUF President Dathan Powell, a professor in the art, music and theatre department. "We've said all along that our members would not accept the Chancellor's demand for contract take backs, and we cannot accept her proposal for a meager 1% raise. With the skyrocketing prices of groceries, rent, and gas, that is a pay cut and a slap in the face to our hardworking faculty."

The union initially voted to authorize a strike on March 19. The strike will be on Friday, April 3. Picketing starts at 9:30 a.m. with a rally and press conference at 10:30 a.m.

Picketing will be on the quad, with the rally and press conference happening on the quad at the UIS colonnade.

In a statement, UIS Administration said, "The University of Illinois Springfield respects the right of the UPI Local 4100 tenured and tenure-track faculty to choose whether to engage in a work stoppage. While the union has indicated a strike could begin as soon as tomorrow, no final decision has been confirmed. The University and the Union have met for 17 bargaining sessions, including eight with an independent federal mediator, and are meeting again this afternoon. UIS remains committed to supporting students and has plans in place to minimize disruption should a work stoppage occur. The University continues to work toward a fair and fiscally responsible contract that serves the entire university community and hopes to reach a timely agreement with the union."