ISU strike enters third week; union sues over alleged strikebreaking

By Sean Reed | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Union support staff at Illinois State University has entered a third week on strike over failed contract negotiations. The union says instead of negotiating in good faith, university officials are illegally spending more money on temporary staff than it would cost to agree to their demands.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1110 union called for a strike April 8 after contract negotiations with Illinois State fell through. The workers’ previous contract expired at the end of June last year, according to the university.

The union of roughly 350 building, maintenance and dining workers wants “fair pay,” after not receiving wage increases in more than two years. It is also demanding retroactive pay covering the difference between former and new wages.

Darren Bailey, the Republican candidate for Illinois governor, joined support staff on strike Friday at Illinois State. He shared his support for the picketing workers, who he said have had no choice but to strike.

Flanked by workers holding picket signs, Bailey said the university needs to come back to the bargaining table.

“When the work gets done right, the people doing the work should share in the success. If an institution is running well, if it’s growing, if it’s succeeding, then the workers who make that possible should see that success reflected in their paycheck,” Bailey said.

With the strike now in its third week, the union has filed a lawsuit against the ISU Board of Trustees, claiming the university has broken the law by hiring temporary workers to fill the vacancy left on campus by the strike.

Bailey addressed the alleged strikebreaking.

“Instead of negotiating in good faith, the university brought in replacement workers. Replacement workers whom the university is paying more than the union members who are currently on strike,” Bailey said.

According to the university website, “While, as a general practice, the University does not comment on pending litigation, the University follows a state procurement process that ensures it is compliant with the law.”

On Thursday, ISU officials testified to lawmakers in Springfield regarding their budget request for the coming fiscal year. Mike Newman, deputy director of AFSCME Council 31, appeared in opposition to the proposal.

The university is requesting $830 million for FY27, a sizable increase from current year funding.

Asked by lawmakers whether the university was engaging in strikebreaking, ISU President Dr. Aondover Tarhule said they are not.

Newman said he disagrees, and that the university has broken the law, including by making student workers take on some tasks that would otherwise be done by union employees.

“Now the university is expending significant financial resources to employ strikebreakers – in clear violation of the employment of strikebreakers Act. Administrators are even threatening retaliation against student workers who resist being forced to do struck work,” Newman said.

Newman went a step further, asking lawmakers to keep in mind how the university had gone about contract negotiations when appropriating funds.

“We respectfully request that you also consider the manner in which the university will use, or misuse, its funding,” Newman said.

State Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington, told Tarhule she wants the university to attempt to end the strike in good faith.

While on campus with workers, Bailey said Gov. JB Pritzker has been too quiet on the strike.

“You can’t claim to stand with workers and then disappear when it actually matters. You can’t talk about supporting labor and then allow situations like this to drag on while families struggle to get by,” Bailey said.