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

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The tenure and tenure-track faculty who are members of the UIS United Faculty (UISUF) returned to the picket line today for Day 2 of their strike, demonstrating unwavering resolve in their fight for a fair contract. Members were again joined by students and other supporters, who offered powerful words of encouragement.

U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (IL 13) energized the strikers, telling them: “I am so proud to stand with you. I am a union member myself. I know the power of collective bargaining and being at the table to fight for good wages, benefits, and safe working conditions. I stand with you today in front of this administration at UIS to say you deserve a fair contract with good pay and respect for what you do."

Rep. Budzinski continued, “Especially at this time right now, when costs are only going up…grocery prices and childcare are breaking the backs of families, utility prices have increased in this district by 26 percent over the course of this last year, and gas prices have now gone up because of this war in Iran - over a dollar in just the last three weeks. You deserve wages that are going to provide for your family, and that’s what this strike is about.

“I want to say that this continues until we can get a fair contract for you,” she added. “I am here with you today and every day, standing in solidarity with you.”

Faculty members were forced to strike last Friday after nearly a year of unproductive bargaining with Chancellor Gooch and the UIS administration. UISUF members are demanding the resources they need to provide students with a high-quality education, as well as the respect and fair pay they deserve. The Chancellor and her team continue to claim they do not have the resources to pay staff and faculty fairly, yet they have consistently found the funds to hire more unnecessary, high-paid administrators and give them real raises.

Students continue to support their faculty, walking the picket lines alongside them and speaking out. Zachariah Overton, a master’s degree student at UIS, explained why he has joined their fight.

“You don't just teach in the classroom, you support us out here. You make me feel like I belong here. You make me feel like I can succeed here. Without that, I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing, and a lot of students wouldn't be doing what they're doing. That’s why we support you,” he said.

“This fight frustrates me and it frustrates my fellow students to hear about the disrespect faculty and staff are getting from this administration," Overton added. "It makes us angry to hear that they are not listening to your demands or, at the very least, negotiating in good faith. So as long as that continues, I’ll be here. Thank you for fighting for what’s right, because you're not just fighting for your wages, you’re fighting for me as a student. If you didn’t do that, I wouldn’t be here at UIS today...Thank you.”

Since members authorized the strike last month, six additional bargaining sessions have been held with the assistance of a federal mediator. The administration stubbornly continues to offer a meager 1% salary increase - about $100 per year for most faculty - and is insisting on contract “take backs.”

The UIS Support Staff Union has been bargaining with the administration for nearly a year as well. Like the faculty, staff overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike last month and could call a strike of their members at any time if the administration continues to refuse to bargain in good faith. "You all, the faculty and staff of UIS, are the lifeblood of this institution," said David Schultz, President of the Springfield and Central Illinois Trades and Labor Council and AFSCME Local 1019. "You’re the ones doing the work, and you’re the ones who make this institution function, survive, and thrive.

"Chancellor Gooch and her cronies should be thanking you all for making UIS so successful that they were able to give themselves such massive salaries and raises. And what better thanks could she give than by offering you all a fair contract, including the rights and raises you not only deserve, but that you have so clearly earned."

Faculty are prepared to bargain at anytime and urge the administration to finally work seriously to reach a fair agreement.

UIS United Faculty represents 145 tenure and tenure-track faculty at the University of Illinois-Springfield. They are affiliated with the University Professionals of Illinois (UPI, Local 4100).

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

More like this:

UIS Faculty and Staff Vote to Authorize Possible Strike

Mar 22, 2026

Budzinski Leads Letter To REI: “Get Back To The Table”

2 days ago

Attorney General Raoul Warns Residents To Be On Alert For Storm-Related Repair Scams

Today

Mayor David Goins Proposes Changing Residency Requirements for City of Alton Employees

6 days ago

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

Mar 18, 2026