DazeVlog

UPDATE:   Following Monday’s mediation session, WIU and the University Professionals of Illinois Local 4100 report the two groups are close to reaching a tentative agreement.  Specific contract language is still being worked out.  Details will not be disclosed to the public until the final language has been approved by both sides.

Students joined teachers at Western Illinois University in a rally Monday afternoon as they push for a new contract at the Macomb and Quad Cities campuses.

It comes just days after union members voted for a strike authorization, which makes it possible to give formal notice to strike.

The University said the funding isn’t there for them to make it possible to accommodate the union’s request with decreased state funding and lower enrollment.

The union said they want to make sure professors and members have a fair wage and benefits. 

A joint effort across two campuses has Western Illinois University faculty and students coming together for what they’re calling the March to Mediation to send a message to the administration.

They linked with Facebook.

It’s as the University and faculty union bargaining teams are back at the table again Monday for another round of negotiation talks for a new contract that’s been in the works since October 2016.

WIU English Professor Dan Malachuk said, “We want to avoid a strike. It’s important to our students. It’s important to the university that we continue to deliver the education that they are paying for.”

Part of that education has staff saying they’ve been waiting for the University administration to come with a fair contract that keeps it there for the long term.

WIU Associate Professor of Finance Padmaja Pillutla said, “Us to be able to attract high quality, high researched faculty members here and not just attract but retain.”

Professors said the current offer on the table would make that difficult.

According to the last on the record proposal, it continues making cuts to pay of about two percent, after staff accepted three percent cuts the last two years to help the university with budgeting issues.

WIU Communication Professor Mary Hogg said, “Taken in faith that we were going to get paid back at some point by the state of Illinois, which I personally have given up on at this point.”

Even though Hogg will retire at the end of the semester, she said it was vital for her to support her colleagues so they get the pay their deserve and it ensures the quality education continues. 

“It goes beyond the cut in pay that’s been proposed, and it goes beyond some of those issues that are on the contract. It’s, in the long run, providing a better education for the students,” said Hogg. 

For the educators, they said it’s humbling to know they’re not alone and those they’re working to provide a better education for are with them.

WIU Junior Christina Laskowski said, “I think I’m getting a real great education and then to find out that the pay they’re receiving for me getting this education isn’t really fair.”

The union is offering training for a strike.

The union represents more than 600 professors, instructors and counselors at the two campuses.

For information on the negotiations, visit: http://www.wiu.edu/provost/negotiationsupdate.php

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