WESTMONT, IL - Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) President Dan Montgomery issued the following statement denouncing the layoffs of nearly 90 faculty and staff by Western Illinois University’s administration, led by Interim President Kristi Mindrup.
“We are profoundly disturbed by the decision to issue a sweeping round of layoffs affecting our dedicated faculty, academic support professionals, protech staff, and civil service personnel. This decision, which compounds the earlier layoffs of 35 contingent faculty members, is not just an attack on the livelihoods of these committed individuals and their families — it is a shortsighted action that will inflict lasting damage on our students and the Macomb and Moline communities.
“We ask for an immediate reevaluation of these layoffs and call for transparent, meaningful engagement with all stakeholders. The future of WIU should be shaped by foresight and responsibility, not dismantled by hasty and harmful cuts. We stand in solidarity with those affected and will continue to fight against these unjust measures. We urge the administration to consider the long-term consequences of their actions and to halt this devastating trajectory.”
The Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) represents 103,000 teachers and paraprofessionals in PreK-12 school districts throughout Illinois, faculty and staff at Illinois’ community colleges and universities, public employees under every statewide elected constitutional officer, and retirees.
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