Mark Hudson, Eastern Illinois University's director of housing and dining, explains the history behind Illinois public universities having castle style buildings during a EIU historical tour of the first three EIU buildings on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 in Charleston, Ill.
CHARLESTON — Members of the union representing various support services workers at Eastern Illinois University have ratified a contract proposal that includes a wage increase and new parental leave provisions.
EIU's Board of Trustees is scheduled to vote on this proposed agreement with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 981 at its April 19 meeting. The union represents approximately 180 building service, clerical, food service and other workers.
Local 981 reported in a press release on Monday that it took nine months at the bargaining table, picketing by employees frustrated over low pay and the slow pace of negotiations, and the involvement of a federal mediator for the union to get this contract.
The union reported that the agreement includes "significant strides" toward improving wage levels and provides paid parental leave for the first time, among other provisions.
“For nine months, we stayed united and fought hard for long overdue wage increases and crucial benefits for ourselves and our families," said Local 981 President Kim Pope, who is an office manager in the EIU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. "Together we won an agreement that takes important steps in the right direction.”
Pope said in the release that Local 981 is committed to supporting students and the whole campus community. She said this contract will allow them to keep doing that by ensuring the improved wages and benefits that employees deserve.
The university had not released a new statement as of late Monday morning regarding the union's ratification of the proposal. The administration did issue a joint statement with the Local 981 on Feb. 13 regarding a tentative agreement on the contract. The statement said they reached agreement following "a collaborative process that started in May."
Local 981 reported that its members voted "overwhelmingly" to ratify the agreement at worksite meetings held on Wednesday. The contract reportedly raises wages by 15-24% across the board during its four-year term, with the lowest-paid employees seeing an immediate 13% increase as minimum pay goes to $16. It was $13.72 before Jan. 1.
The agreement also reportedly provides four weeks of paid parental leave, whereas the university previously offered none. Other provisions include restoring parity pay for clerical-technical employees, strengthening worker protections against harassment on the job, and allowing more leeway for remote work where possible.
A recent study by the University of Illinois and the Illinois Economic Policy Institute showed that public university employees are paid 21% less than their counterparts in state government who do the same jobs, Local 981 reported.
“Together in our union we’re fighting for fair pay and good benefits for every university employee,” AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch said in the release. “When state universities are good places to work, they’re better places to learn.”
St. John's Lutheran School Eagles archery team member Will Hayden, at center, selects an arrow from his quiver while competing during his school's tournament on Saturday in Eastern Illinois University's Student Recreation Center in Charleston.
Eastern Illinois University student and ROTC cadet Christian Wood receives the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross Award presented by EIU College of Health and Human Services Dean John Storsved on Thursday in Coleman Auditorium.
Eastern Illinois University international graduate student Junny Olajumoke of Nigeria left, and Home Church member Danah Himes visit during a spring semester welcome dinner Thursday evening at this church in Charleston.
Eastern Illinois University staff members represented by AFSCME Local 981 picket on Wednesday in front of Old Main as their contract talks with the administration continue.
Eve, played by Bri Olshawsky, is tempted by Snake, played by multiple cast members, during a rehearsal Monday evening for the EIU Doudna Fine Arts Center's production of "Children of Eden," set to start on Thursday, Nov. 2. Snake is played, from the left, by Sadie Stowell, Rose Brazzell, Emily Ritter, Abby Smith, and Andi Hortenstine. Brazzell is a Mattoon resident, Hortenstine is an Effingham resident, and the others are EIU students.
Embarras Volunteer Stewards participants Barb Hunter and Daisha Mitchell, who is an Eastern Illinois University student, remove invasive plant species Saturday morning at Lakeview Park in Charleston.
Officials involved with developing the new Linder Sports Complex in Charleston prepare to cut its grand opening ribbon on Saturday with the help of emergency responders, Eastern Illinois University's Billy the Panther mascot and the Sparky the Fire Dog mascot, who were present for the subsequent Fire Prevention Week Celebration there.
Eastern Illinois University graduate student Kennedi Hall of Chicago, at left, and senior Emily Ross of Newton paint a street light pole on Aug. 19 across from Charleston City Hall as part of an EIU student community service day at the start of the fall semester. This particular service project was organized by Charleston CAN (Community Action Network).
Members of the Eastern Illinois University women's soccer team finish their lap at the Run for the Fallen on Saturday at the new Linder Sports Complex in Charleston while walking past a giant U.S. flag flown by the Charleston Fire Department's ladder truck.
Eastern Illinois University Police Chief Marisol Gamboa and her department's new therapy dog, a beagle-foxhound mix named Penny, visit with Jason Tucker and his children, 3-year-old Isaiah and 2-year-old Ivey, at the National Night Out event Tuesday evening on the grounds of the First Southern Baptist Church in Mattoon.
This collection includes Eastern Illinois University-related photo from summer and fall 2023 through spring 2024.
St. John's Lutheran School Eagles archery team member Will Hayden, at center, selects an arrow from his quiver while competing during his school's tournament on Saturday in Eastern Illinois University's Student Recreation Center in Charleston.
ROB STROUD, JG-TC
Eastern Illinois University student and ROTC cadet Christian Wood receives the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross Award presented by EIU College of Health and Human Services Dean John Storsved on Thursday in Coleman Auditorium.
ROB STROUD, JG-TC
Eastern Illinois University international graduate student Junny Olajumoke of Nigeria left, and Home Church member Danah Himes visit during a spring semester welcome dinner Thursday evening at this church in Charleston.
ROB STROUD, JG-TC
Eastern Illinois University staff members represented by AFSCME Local 981 picket on Wednesday in front of Old Main as their contract talks with the administration continue.
ROB STROUD, JG-TC
Eve, played by Bri Olshawsky, is tempted by Snake, played by multiple cast members, during a rehearsal Monday evening for the EIU Doudna Fine Arts Center's production of "Children of Eden," set to start on Thursday, Nov. 2. Snake is played, from the left, by Sadie Stowell, Rose Brazzell, Emily Ritter, Abby Smith, and Andi Hortenstine. Brazzell is a Mattoon resident, Hortenstine is an Effingham resident, and the others are EIU students.
ROB STROUD, JG-TC
Students and community members march across Eastern Illinois University's campus on Wednesday during a rally in support of Gaza.
ROB STROUD, JG-TC
Embarras Volunteer Stewards participants Barb Hunter and Daisha Mitchell, who is an Eastern Illinois University student, remove invasive plant species Saturday morning at Lakeview Park in Charleston.
ROB STROUD, JG-TC
Officials involved with developing the new Linder Sports Complex in Charleston prepare to cut its grand opening ribbon on Saturday with the help of emergency responders, Eastern Illinois University's Billy the Panther mascot and the Sparky the Fire Dog mascot, who were present for the subsequent Fire Prevention Week Celebration there.
ROB STROUD, JG-TC
Eastern Illinois University graduate student Kennedi Hall of Chicago, at left, and senior Emily Ross of Newton paint a street light pole on Aug. 19 across from Charleston City Hall as part of an EIU student community service day at the start of the fall semester. This particular service project was organized by Charleston CAN (Community Action Network).
ROB STROUD, JG-TC
Members of the Eastern Illinois University women's soccer team finish their lap at the Run for the Fallen on Saturday at the new Linder Sports Complex in Charleston while walking past a giant U.S. flag flown by the Charleston Fire Department's ladder truck.
ROB STROUD, JG-TC
Eastern Illinois University Police Chief Marisol Gamboa and her department's new therapy dog, a beagle-foxhound mix named Penny, visit with Jason Tucker and his children, 3-year-old Isaiah and 2-year-old Ivey, at the National Night Out event Tuesday evening on the grounds of the First Southern Baptist Church in Mattoon.