Bargaining
Non-Tenure Track (NTT) Faculty Union Contract Negotiation Updates
The University of Illinois Springfield and UPI Local 4100 Non-Tenure Track Faculty Union began negotiating the union’s first contract in March 2024, and on March 19, 2025, reached a tentative agreement on a three-year contract.
Most Recent Negotiation Update
On March 19, the University of Illinois Springfield and UPI Local 4100 Non-Tenure Track Faculty Union reached a tentative agreement on the terms of a three-year contract for the non-tenure track faculty bargaining unit, representing approximately 43 non-tenure track faculty. In the coming weeks, the parties will go through their respective processes to approve the terms of the agreement. Specific contract terms will be available for public release at that time.
Thank you to all parties who worked on this inaugural contract for our valued non-tenure track faculty members.
Frequently Asked Questions for Employees and Students
Bargaining Timeline
March 19, 2025
A tentative agreement was reached on a three-year agreement the evening of March 19.
March 18-19, 2025
The parties met over an extended period of time throughout March 18 and 19 exchanging proposals.
March 14, 2025 (21st Bargaining Session; 10th Mediation Session)
The parties met for their 21st negotiation session, which was also their 10th mediation session. The Union provided a package proposal on three items, and the University provided language on five items. Other proposed articles continued to be discussed with the Mediator, and potential resolutions were considered for future meeting proposals.
Tentative Agreements on three items were signed at this session. The next mediation session was confirmed for March 18 prior to adjourning the meeting.
March 7, 2025 (20th Bargaining Session; 9th Mediation Session)
The parties met for their 20th negotiation session, which was also their ninth mediation session. The Union provided a package proposal on six items, and clarifying questions were discussed. Following its package proposal submission, the Union delivered its 10-day Notice of Intent to Strike to the University. Following the strike notice delivery, the University provided counter proposals on eight items, and clarifying questions were discussed.
Tentative agreements on two items (presented by the university to the union after the Notice of Intent to Strike was provided to the University) were signed at this session. The next two mediation sessions (March 14 and 18) were confirmed prior to adjourning the meeting.
February 28, 2025 (19th Bargaining Session; 8th Mediation Session)
The parties met for their 19th negotiation session, which was also their eighth mediation session. Prior to the start of mediation, the Union issued a formal statement to the parties regarding negotiation status. Following the statement, the University submitted an all-encompassing supposal to the group for consideration. The Union provided a counterproposal on three items.
The parties discussed clarifying questions and perspectives on outstanding issues on important proposal items. The next two mediation sessions were confirmed prior to the meeting adjourning.
February 14, 2025 (18th Bargaining Session; 7th Mediation Session)
The parties met for their 18th negotiation session, which was also their seventh mediation session. The University provided two proposals, and the Union provided no proposals. One Tentative Agreement was signed at this meeting.
The parties were given the first mediator supposal to discuss and consider for the next session. The next two mediation sessions were confirmed prior to the meeting adjourning.
January 31, 2025 (17th Bargaining Session; 6th Mediation Session)
The parties met for their 17th negotiation session, which was also their sixth mediation session. The University provided four proposals, and the Union provided two proposals. Clarifying questions were asked and answered through the mediator.
The next two mediation sessions were confirmed prior to the meeting adjourning.
January 16, 2025 (16th Bargaining Session; 5th Mediation Session)
The parties met for their 16th negotiation session, which was also their fifth mediation session. The University provided two proposals, and the Union provided two proposals. One Tentative Agreement was signed at this meeting.
The parties came together to have clarifying discussions about intent of proposed language on both sides. The University also introduced the new Assistant Vice Chancellor of Human Resources, Drew Schlosser, and the Union gave introductions of each of their bargaining team members for Mr. Schlosser’s benefit.
The next three mediation sessions were confirmed prior to the meeting adjourning.
December 13, 2024 (15th Bargaining Session; 4th Mediation Session)
The parties met for their 15th negotiation session, which was also their fourth mediation session. The University provided four proposals, and the Union provided three proposals. Clarifying questions were asked and answered on the economic proposals.
The next three mediation sessions were scheduled prior to the meeting adjourning.
November 22, 2024 (14th Bargaining Session; 3rd Mediation Session)
The parties met for their 14th negotiation session, which was also their third mediation session. The University provided two proposals, and the Union provided three proposals. Clarifying questions were asked and answered. Two Tentative Agreements were signed.
The next two mediation sessions were scheduled prior to the meeting adjourning.
November 1, 2024 (13th Bargaining Session; 2nd Mediation Session)
The parties met for their 13th negotiation session, which was also the second mediation session. The University presented two package proposals. Clarifying questions were asked and answered and one tentative agreement was signed at this session.
October 8, 2024 (12th Bargaining Session; 1st Mediation Session)
The parties met for their 12th negotiating session, which was also their first mediation session. The mediator introduced himself and discussed the plan for sessions and what to expect during mediation. The parties introduced themselves as well before discussing the status of bargaining.
Both parties provided context for their proposals, responses and current perspectives. Outstanding proposals include general contract language items, working conditions and an economics package. The mediator asked clarifying questions and divided up groups to discuss items individually.
The next two mediation sessions were scheduled prior to the meeting adjourning.
September 26, 2024 (11th Bargaining Session)
The parties met for their 11th negotiating session. The University presented one counter proposal. The Union provided comments and feedback on specific items. The Union requested new membership information and sought clarification on which type of positions are included in the bargaining unit, if any. The Union provided additional comments at the end of the session.
The current bargaining timeline was discussed, and the next meeting was scheduled.
September 12, 2024 (10th Bargaining Session)
The parties met for their 10th negotiating session. The University presented four counter proposals and answered the Union’s clarifying questions. The parties handled administrative and housekeeping items and revisited the status of outstanding proposals.
The next meeting was confirmed prior to adjournment and a potential new location for remaining meetings was discussed. The Union requested a mediator be present at the next meeting.
August 23, 2024 (9th Bargaining Session)
The parties met for their ninth negotiating session. The University presented two counter proposals and answered the Union’s clarifying questions. The Union provided comments on the proposals, and both parties engaged in a discussion about the proposed items individually to help both parties understand where each were coming from on their thoughts and counter proposals.
The parties scheduled the next two sessions prior to adjournment.
July 31, 2024 (8th Bargaining Session)
The parties met for their eighth negotiating session. The University started the meeting by providing additional context for their recent proposals at the request of the Union. The University presented a counter proposal on one item. The Union presented proposals on seven items, including financial details. Clarifying questions on language and intent were discussed.
The parties discussed how to continue to schedule sessions moving forward.
June 27, 2024 (7th Bargaining Session)
The parties met for their seventh negotiating session. The University presented counter proposals on two items. The Union presented a counter proposal on one item. Discussion commenced about the status of outstanding proposals, clarification of language, and other housekeeping items. The parties agreed to table some items that had had little movement for now.
The parties confirmed the next two sessions on the schedule prior to adjournment.
May 15, 2024 (6th Bargaining Session)
The parties met for their sixth negotiation session. The University presented three counter proposals and one new item proposal at the meeting. The Union presented one counter proposal and one new item proposal. Clarifying questions were asked and answered for both parties on all current items pending agreement.
The parties scheduled two more sessions prior to adjournment.
April 30, 2024 (5th Bargaining Session)
The parties met for their fifth negotiating session. The University presented counter proposals on four items. The Union countered on two different items as well. The parties came to a Tentative Agreement on one item.
The parties confirmed the upcoming session on the schedule prior to adjournment.
April 19, 2024 (4th Bargaining Session)
The parties met for their fourth negotiation session. The University presented counter proposals on four items. The Union asked clarifying questions, and after discussion countered three more proposals.
The parties confirmed upcoming sessions on the schedule prior to adjournment.
April 9, 2024 (3rd Bargaining Session)
The parties met for their third negotiation session. The Union countered one University proposal and submitted three new article proposals. The University posed clarifying questions to assist with responding to Union proposals prior to adjournment.
March 22, 2024 (2nd Bargaining Session)
The parties met for their second negotiation session. The parties opened the session by signing four Tentative Agreements on first session proposals, and the University provided counter proposals on four Union items from the previous meeting. The Union presented three new article proposals at this session.
The parties confirmed and scheduled the bargaining sessions for the remainder of the semester through May 2024 (four sessions scheduled).
March 5, 2024 (1st Bargaining Session)
The parties met for their first negotiation session. The parties commenced with introductions of individuals present, and the Union provided description of membership, mission statement, and high-level overview of topics they intended to bargain. The University provided both parties with suggested ground rules and session structure expectations.
The parties scheduled the next three bargaining sessions prior to adjournment.
January 16, 2024
The University received a Demand to Bargain from the Union to commence negotiations on a first-time collective bargaining agreement for the nontenure-track faculty. The University began working on the information request and preparing for bargaining.
January 10, 2024
The University Professionals of Illinois, Local 4100, IFT-AFT, AFL-CIO (Union) received signed Order of Certification from the IL Educational Labor Relations Board to represent the University’s non-tenure track faculty members. This Union’s membership is defined as all full-time (i.e. employees who have .51 or greater appointment as a faculty member) nontenure-track faculty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Non-Tenure Track mean?
A: Non-Tenure Track (NTT) faculty have full-time appointments with primarily classroom instructional duties and are not part of the tenure-track system. Examples of non-tenure track positions at UIS include clinical professors and instructors. NTT positions are designed to meet specific institutional needs. While the pathway to tenure is not part of the NTT role, these faculty members play a vital and impactful part in shaping academic programs and fostering a dynamic learning environment.
Q: How long has the University been bargaining with the Non-Tenure Track Faculty Union?
A: Negotiations began in March 2024. A timeline is on the Bargaining webpage.
Q: Who can I contact for more information or if I have questions?
A: Media and external parties should contact Blake Wood, director of media strategy, who is the official spokesperson for the University and can be reached at (217) 206-8404.
Employees may contact the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Human Resources, Drew Schlosser, at 217-206-7148 or dschloss@uis.edu.