UIS non-tenured faculty union files Intent to Strike notice

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - The non-tenure track faculty who are members of the University of Illinois-Springfield Instructors United officially filed an Intent to Strike notice with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board.

The action comes following a vote by the membership to authorize a strike, which was announced on February 26.

Now that the required 10-day notice has been filed, members may go on strike as early as March 18.

“We love our students and the work we do to make a difference in their futures," said Scott Fenton, UIS English instructor. "But after a year of bargaining and multiple sessions with a federal mediator, Chancellor Gooch and her administration have clearly not heard us as faculty and still refuse to make reasonable movement on job security and workload issues that are critical to our members. We hope the filing of this notice will serve as a wake up call. It's time to take us seriously."

“Chancellor Gooch and her administration should be ashamed that it has come to this,” said UPI President John Miller. “The University of Illinois system is respected statewide and across the country, primarily due to its world-class faculty, including at UIS. It is unacceptable that these incredible instructors have been forced to take this action simply to be treated respectfully. We urge the administration to finally fulfill their responsibilities to be good stewards of UIS for students and those who teach them by getting an agreement done."

“A strike will be our last resort," said Fenton, "but we are prepared to withhold our labor if necessary to ensure that, in the long term, we can continue to give our students the high-quality education they deserve. A strike can still be avoided if this administration will finally show that they value our work and prioritize students' needs. We want to get an agreement done and the administration should too."

The next bargaining session is scheduled for March 14.

UISIU represents 40 full time, non-tenure track faculty at the University of Illinois-Springfield. The NTT faculty organized in January 2024.

In a statement sent out to campus Monday morning, UIS Chancellor Janet L. Gooch said:

"Dear students, faculty and staff:

The UPI Local 4100 Non-Tenure Track Faculty Union, which represents 43 non-tenure-track faculty, delivered a Notice of Intent to Strike on March 7 prior to receiving the University’s latest proposal. While this action means that the union can opt to strike any time after a 10-day waiting period, no sooner than March 17, it does not mean that a strike will occur.

We are disappointed that the union would file a Notice of Intent to Strike, especially with two additional bargaining sessions scheduled for March 14 and 18. UIS also has requested additional sessions, but to date the union has not agreed.

Our contract negotiations with the UPI Local 4100 Non-Tenure Track Faculty Union began in March 2024, and we have met at least 20 times, including nine sessions with an independent federal mediator. The University’s goal throughout the past year of negotiations has been to balance an intent to fairly compensate our valued teaching colleagues for their important contributions, while also ensuring progress to reduce the University’s structural deficit. A work stoppage will do nothing to change the constraints that limit what UIS can ultimately provide in a new union contract.

To date, the University and the union have reached 11 tentative agreements of the approximate 20 articles being negotiated. We currently are addressing issues related to compensation and workload.

UIS remains committed to fulfilling our educational mission. Should a strike occur, we have measures in place that will minimize the impact on students’ academic progress, including grades and exams. We will continue to bargain in good faith and do everything within our power to avoid a disruption to learning.

I remain hopeful that we will be able to reach a fair, sustainable and fiscally responsible agreement with which both parties can be satisfied. Please visit our Bargaining website for the most up-to-date information regarding this matter."