UI, GEO contract talks at a standstill
URBANA – The Graduate Employees' Organization at the University of Illinois has until next week to form a committee to discuss a possible strike on the Urbana campus.
The union and the Urbana campus administration have bogged down in negotiations on a new contract; the last one expired Aug. 15.
When the UI did not provide a counterproposal as expected by the union on Oct. 8, communications director Peter Campbell said, members voted unanimously to file an intent-to-strike document.
That does not mean the union will strike, but gives the GEO the legal ability to prepare for a strike in the future should the membership deem it necessary, Campbell said. He added that there was strong support within the membership for a strike.
"We're working toward the best contract possible within the financial constraints we face," Urbana campus spokeswoman Robin Kaler said. In the past, she has said the UI will not negotiate the contract in the media.
The GEO contends that the UI's current offer is a significant step back for the graduate students, asking them to accept frozen wages for three years and seeking to significantly erode graduate employee rights.
Campbell said the UI claims that it has made the best financial proposal it can under state budget guidelines.
The GEO, which is affiliated with American Federation of Teachers, is a labor union representing teaching and graduate assistants at the Urbana campus. GEO members teach 23.1 percent of all undergraduate course hours at Urbana, the union notes.
The GEO has been in contract negotiations with the UI administration since April 21.
The union said it's seeking four "pillars": a living wage for all graduate employees, improved access to health care, working with the UI to create a more family-friendly environment for graduate employee parents and preserving tuition waivers.
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