SPRINGFIELD, IL – After a two-day vote this week, members of the University of Illinois-Springfield Instructors United (UISIU) announced today that they have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike. The vote does not guarantee a strike, but gives the union's bargaining team the authority to call one if a fair agreement cannot be reached.
Scott Fenton, UIS English instructor said: "The results of our strike authorization vote say it all: Our members have had enough, and time is running out. Chancellor Gooch and her team must finally take these negotiations seriously and show they value our work. Otherwise, we will have no choice but to strike.
"We have been bargaining for a full year and have yet to see any substantive movement on critical issues, including reasonable workloads and improved job security. Last fall, we were forced to demand federal mediation and file Unfair Labor Practice charges to pressure this administration to bargain in good faith, as required by law. Still the chancellor and her team refuse to make meaningful proposals or demonstrate respect for our members."
Prior to calling a strike, the union must file a 10-day notice of intent with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB).
"Higher education professionals are being forced to fight for job security and respect all across the country, but it is sad to see that the outstanding professionals in our prized University of Illinois system must do the same," added John Miller, president of the University Professionals of Illinois. "Students deserve the best. They can only get that when their educators have the time and working conditions necessary to provide high-quality instruction. Chancellor Gooch must prioritize student needs and avoid a strike by reaching a fair agreement with faculty immediately."
The UISIU represents 40 full time, non-tenure track (NTT) faculty at the University of Illinois-Springfield (UIS). The NTT faculty organized in January 2024 and are among the newest members of the University Professionals of Illinois, Local 4100.
###
The University Professionals of Illinois (UPI Local 4100) and represents more than 3,000 education professionals at seven of Illinois' 12 public universities. UPI is affiliated with the Illinois Federation of Teachers.
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. IFT and our local unions are affiliated with the 1.8-million member American Federation of Teachers (AFT)