UIS Faculty and Staff Vote to Authorize Possible Strike

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Faculty and staff unions at the University of Illinois Springfield voted this week to authorize strikes if contract talks do not produce what they describe as fair agreements, following three days of voting and a campus rally held today.

Members of the UIS Staff Union and UIS United Faculty said the votes were driven by what they called months of stalled negotiations with the UIS administration, including “administrative stonewalling in negotiations,” “insulting salary proposals,” and attempts “to take away current contract protections.”

The staff union has been negotiating with Chancellor Janet Gooch and the UIS administration since June 2025, while UIS United Faculty, which represents tenure and tenure-track faculty, began bargaining in July. After what the unions described as months of no progress, both requested assistance from a federal mediator last fall and have taken part in multiple mediated sessions.

The unions said the administration “refuses to bargain seriously” and is offering salary proposals they consider unacceptable, saying the proposals “amount to pay cuts when adjusted for inflation.”

The vote results do not guarantee a strike, but allow union leadership to call one if necessary. Both unions said they remain ready to bargain.

Staff are scheduled to negotiate with the administration again on Thursday, March 20. The next faculty bargaining session is set for March 23.

The UIS Staff Chapter represents 67 building and food service workers, clerical staff and technical staff. UIS United Faculty represents 145 tenure and tenure-track faculty at the University of Illinois Springfield. Both groups are affiliated with the University Professionals of Illinois, Local 4100.

UPI Local 4100 represents more than 3,500 education professionals at eight of Illinois’ 12 public universities and is affiliated with the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers and the American Association of University Professors.

More like this:

UIS faculty strike enters Day 2 as Nikki Budzinski, students and labor allies join picket line

Apr 7, 2026

Bruce D. Levy Named Dean of WashU Medicine Starting July 2026

Mar 18, 2026

Midwest Members Credit Union Sponsors February 2026 “Oiler of the Month”

Apr 22, 2026

Amanda Beiser Named Alton Middle School Assistant Principal

Mar 5, 2026

Midwest Members Credit Union Sponsors March 2026 “Shell Of The Month”

5 days ago