United Faculty of Illinois State University

Labor negotiations, spending cuts, creating a new model for budget planning, developing the new College of Engineering, and, oh yes, graduation this weekend — Illinois State University has a lot on its plate right now.

Illinois State University’s faculty union said Monday that its members have voted “overwhelmingly” to ratify its first contract. It includes a 4.5% pay increase that takes effect in just over two weeks.

For the last few months, Illinois State University and faculty union negotiators have had help from a federal mediator. Contract talks are ongoing, but the future of the mediation service is in doubt.

The move starts a 10-day clock that would enable the United Faculty of ISU union to strike as early as April 4.

Hours after its faculty union voted to authorize a strike, Illinois State University said Friday that it’s initiated “academic contingency planning activities” to minimize disruption if a work stoppage occurs.

The union representing Illinois State University faculty has moved one step closer to a potential work stoppage, calling for a strike authorization vote that will continue through noon Friday.

Workers at the East Empire Street store have joined three New York City-based stores in ratifying contracts as members of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union.

A leader for ISU's tenure and tenure-track faculty union told trustees they're inching close to a strike. The chair of the Academic Senate identified a pattern of "discordant labor relations" spanning multiple ISU presidents. And repairs to a campus parking garage may be impacted by proposed tariffs on steel.

While there was some expectation that hashing out the specifics of the union's first-ever contract wouldn't be a quick process, ISU associate professor Keith Pluymers said it's been longer than members had hoped.

Following a Board of Trustees meeting Friday, an Illinois State spokesperson said the university is preparing to launch a national search for a permanent athletics director in the coming weeks.