4.21.22
Dear Students and Colleagues:
The University has learned that the UIS United Faculty has formally filed a Notice of Intent to Strike with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, as they indicated they would do yesterday when announcing their strike-authorization vote. While this action means that the union can opt to strike any time after a 10-day waiting period, which we believe to be no sooner than May 2, it does not mean that a strike will occur.
We are very disappointed that the union would file a Notice of Intent to Strike, especially since there are additional bargaining sessions scheduled this week and next, with the discussion of adding more.
Recognizing that our campus community will have questions about how the possibility of a work stoppage may affect them, the University has launched a website that provides the most recent updates on negotiations, a timeline of our bargaining efforts, and answers to common questions. Please continue to visit this site for the most up-to-date information regarding this matter.
The University first requested to begin contract negotiations with UIS United Faculty in February 2021, and the first session took place in March 2021. Since that time we have met at least 26 times, including six sessions with an independent federal mediator. The University’s goal throughout the past year of negotiations has been to balance an intent to fairly compensate our valued and respected teaching colleagues for their important contributions, while also ensuring progress to reduce the University’s $3.7 million FY21 structural deficit and achieve financial stability. These dual priorities have become particularly challenging in the face of declining enrollment and related fiscal challenges. We are continuing to implement an aggressive five-year deficit reduction plan that includes strategies to grow enrollment and control expenses.
To this point, the University and the union have reached agreement on a range of non-economic issues. However, we are now addressing our most challenging issue, which relates to compensation. The University has proposed an economic package that invests more than $2.15 million in new money for the 134 UIS United Faculty member salaries over the life of the five-year contract; this does not include additional investments the University has offered for professional development. Based on current salary levels, this is a 40% increase over the economic package that was agreed upon in the initial collective bargaining agreement in 2017, during which UIS’ fiscal health and enrollment situation were in much stronger shape than they are today. The university’s current offer could increase the overall payroll for the tenure/tenure-track bargaining unit by approximately 15.5% over the five-year contract period, whereas the union’s current proposal could increase the overall payroll by more than 30%.
While the University’s current offer is a stretch for UIS fiscally, it represents the optimism we have in our deficit-reduction and strategic enrollment management plans, as well as the confidence we have in our faculty. A work stoppage will do nothing to change the constraints that limit what UIS can ultimately provide in a new union contract. It also will not improve the financial situation that constrains what the University can do in these negotiations.
UIS remains committed to fulfilling our educational mission. Should a strike occur, we will work tirelessly to minimize the impact on students’ academic progress, including final grades and exams. We will continue to bargain in good faith and do everything within our power to avoid a disruption to learning.
I remain hopeful that we will be able to reach a fair, sustainable and fiscally responsible agreement with which both parties can be satisfied.
Karen
Karen M. Whitney, PhD
Interim Chancellor
University of Illinois Springfield