CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — The union representing building and food service workers has gone on strike at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
In a vote held earlier this month, members of SEIU Local 73 rejected the university's most recent contract proposal and authorized a strike.
On Friday, the union said there had been no new offer made during a bargaining session with the university.
“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, in a release on Friday.
"We have mediation sessions scheduled with the SEIU bargaining team for today as well as for Sept. 26, 27, 30 and Oct. 1, 2 and 3," said a spokesperson for the university on Monday. "Our goal continues to be to reach an agreement as quickly as possible and in a way that is fair, and we will continue to provide essential services throughout the strike. Union members have rejected agreements reached between the university and union leadership on two separate occasions."
Sara Gray, one of the business service workers at The U of I spoke with us on how important this strike is for her and her coworkers.
"We're fighting for a fair contract. We deserve a fair living. Cost has gone up. Wages haven't. We all have families. We love these kids. We take care of these kids every day. We're just asking for a fair contract."
President of SEIU Local 73, Melody Decker, confidently told us they will continue to strike as long as they have to, until their demands are heard and seen.
WAND News has a team at the university and will update this story with the latest information.
Members of SEIU Local 73 picketing at the University of Illinois on Sept. 23, 2024.
Copyright 2024. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
