The first union strike at Eastern in 50 years began on Thursday when Eastern’s chapter of University Professionals of Illinois, EIU-UPI, striked after a year of contract negotiations with “little progress made.” EIU-UPI began their strike after bargaining for a new contract since March 21, 2022. Their last contract ended on Aug. 31. Throughout the.
Negotiations continue Friday between Eastern Illinois University and its faculty union. But the bargaining session will take place off campus - because the union began its strike on Thursday, and doesn't want its members to have to cross picket lines for the meeting. Jennifer Stringfellow is president of IFT Local 4100, EIU University Professionals of Illinois. She says the decision to strike came after top university administrators, including president David Glassman, took part in a Monday bargaining session. Stringfellow says the union felt that progress toward a settlement was being made, but were frustrated when the administration declined to extend the meeting.
After almost a year of negotiations with EIU officials, a union of professors voted to strike this week. The union said they are fighting for a livable wage.
The union representing faculty and academic support professionals at Eastern Illinois University is set to go on strike Thursday morning, about a month before the end of the spring semester.