At an Illinois House committee hearing in Springfield on Thursday, Illinois State University President Aondover Tarhule requested more state funding as striking employees also in attendance claimed ISU was not negotiating with them in good faith.
AFSCME Local 1110 is the union representing about 350 striking building, dining and grounds employees at ISU. The union is seeking higher pay.
Negotiations have stalled as the strike has entered its third week. AFSCME has filed a lawsuit claiming ISU is hiring strikebreakers.
In addressing the Illinois House Appropriations Higher Education Committee, Tarhule pointed to local market competitiveness and financial instability as the university's main focus in continued negotiation with striking workers.
Tarhule said they compare each category of workers to their respective markets.
“For every category of employee, we make sure we benchmark what a comparable salary in the comparable market is, and that market may change depending on the group,” he said.
Tarhule was responding to a comment from state Rep. Sharon Chung, a Democrat from Bloomington, who expressed support for the striking employees.
"I would like you to try to see what you can do to end the strike in good faith," Chung said, while wearing a button that said “Fair Contract Now.”
Tarhule said the university is facing an increasing deficit and maintenance backlogs because of the lack of funding and if the university does not get more money this year, it might have to increase tuition.
“We must balance the market competitiveness against what we know it will cost students and our ability to attract them, that is the overall philosophy that guides our negotiations with every group,” Tarhule said to the legislative panel.
Tarhule said he supports funding overhaul proposal for higher education, which has stalled in the House, and an increase in funding so they do not have to raise tuition.
Mike Newman, deputy director of AFSCME Council 31, said ISU should not be comparing wages to local markets when thinking of a competitive salary and instead look at other public universities.
“They should be compared to other public universities, like the closest universities, [University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign] and those workers get paid more. But the market is not the issue,” Newman said.
Newman said the market and budget are not the issue when talking about retroactive pay that's already in the current university budget.
Newman reiterated the union's claim that ISU is hiring temporary workers to replace those who have been on strike since April 8.
“This strike is not about employees demanding more. It is about employees resisting the university's efforts to take away long standing precedents that ensure fair treatment,” Newman said.
When asked by Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet, D-Chicago, if ISU is is employing strikebreakers, Tarhule said "no."
"We disagree, obviously," Newman replied.
Chung said she also supports more funding to public universities and equitable funding legislation to help with the financial issues ISU is facing.
