The union representing buildings, grounds, and dining services workers at Illinois State University said Monday it will strike on Wednesday if there is no contract agreement by then.
AFSCME Local 1110 President Chuck Carver said they will be in negotiations Tuesday morning for as long as it takes to get a deal, but that it will require ISU's administration to change its approach. Since negotiations began a year ago, the parties have held 29 negotiation sessions.
“Nobody wants to strike, but we’re willing to do what it takes to achieve a contract with fair pay that respects the work we do,” said Carver, a building service worker at ISU.
That bargaining session will involve a mediator. ISU gave what it called its "last, best and final" offer at the end of January.
Among several issues still in play is whether any new agreement would include retroactive pay back to June of last year when the last contract expired.
“Most make less than the living wage standard for a single adult, and they’ve had no pay increase in almost two years,” according to a union news release.
ISU has proposed two pay increases in quick succession instead of retroactive pay. One would happen at ratification and the second as the new fiscal year begins July 1.
“This results in employees receiving a 15.5% increase to their base pay between now and July 1, 2029 (16.5% compounded),” said ISU on its website.
The union has objected to a university proposal to take away what it called a “longstanding contract provision that ensures union members receive at least the same wage increases as other university employees.”
The union said its 300-plus members are among the lowest-paid employees on campus. The university said on its website that compensation under its proposal would be more than for comparable positions in the community.
ISU said the parties have reached tentative agreements covering a majority of topics, while making significant progress on the remaining open issues and that it believes its offer is competitive.
The union said “refusal of Illinois State University administrators to respect and value the work of ISU buildings, grounds and dining services employees has union members on the brink of a strike.”
“The University recognizes and respects the important contributions of the employees covered by this unit, primarily janitorial, grounds and dining positions. Illinois State has worked, and will continue to work, diligently to reach a fair and fiscally responsible contract agreement that addresses concerns raised by AFSCME,” said a university spokesperson.
ISU said it must balance expenditures against revenues and strive to offer competitive wages while seeking to remain affordable for students and families.
The union said it will hold a rally at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the corner of Mulberry Street, College Avenue and School Street. The union said they'll be joined by state Sen. David Koehler, state Rep. Sharon Chung, Illinois AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer Pat Devaney, AFSCME Council 31 deputy director Mike Newman and other leaders.
