EIU union asks for federal mediator | Main stories

CHARLESTON, Ill. (WAND) — After 12 negotiations with the university, the union representing Eastern Illinois University faculty and staff has requested the intervention of a federal mediator.

Jennifer Stringfellow is a professor of special education and president of EIU UPI. She stated this in a press release:

“Our negotiation team has held 12 negotiations and has yet to receive an acceptable offer from the university that addresses the issues we are currently facing. Our faculty and staff are stressed and continue to be asked to do more with less. The university is refusing to address the congestion issues we face on this campus and instead is proposing proposals that will only make them worse. This directly affects our students by limiting the time we give them.”

Paid parental leave is another issue that has stalled negotiations. EIU has no paid parental leave, meaning employees must use sick time or lose pay if they want to take leave to raise a family, according to the union’s release. So far, both parties have not reached an agreement on parental leave.

In addition to faculty and staff, EIU University Professionals of Illinois also represents faculty, advisors, consultants, recruiters, and lab coordinators on an annual contract.

Eastern Illinois University released a statement Thursday afternoon:

“The administration of Eastern Illinois University will not discuss negotiations at the table. We are encouraged by UPI’s commitment to mediation and look forward to the services of the Federal Reconciliation Mediation Service. We will continue to negotiate fairly and honestly.”

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