The union representing graduate employees at the University of Illinois’ Urbana campus is going on strike.That announcement came Sunday from the Graduate Employees Organization.
The union accuses U of I administration of “failing to bargain in good faith” on the issues of wages and tuition waivers. The GEO wants the university to keep existing language that guarantees tuition waivers to graduate employees, and to keep the ability to collectively bargain for wages.
In a news release, U of I Urbana Provost Andreas Cangellaris says that the university has been negotiating in good faith, and that its latest contract offer does guarantee tuition waivers for GEO members, and offers a 10% increase in wages over the life of the contract.
The university says it will attempt to keep disruption of classes to a minimum during the work stoppage, and that all Academic Professional and Civil Service employees are expected to report for work as normal.