Faculty members at the University of Illinois Springfield have voted to authorize a strike. Back when it was called Sangamon State University, the Springfield campus had a faculty union. But since joining the University of Illinois system, professors have been without a bargaining unit. For more than a year, they’ve been trying to get an agreement that would retain the rights they had before. Now, frustrated by the slow pace of talks, they’ve voted to authorize a strike.
Kristi Barnwell, a history professor, says negotiations have thus far been more about grievance procedures and tenure, than dollars and cents.
“We also have some economic requests, but what we’ve been stalling out on is those non-economic requests that are important to creating stability on this campus for both faculty and students.”
The administration’s response, however, focuses on money. In an email, spokesperson Derek Schnapp said the union submitted salary and wage requests two days ago, and the request is being reviewed.