Chicago State College administration continues to stonewall as strike enters second week

Union members at CSU will be part of hanging colleagues from across the state on the picket strains tomorrow at Governors State College

Unproductive bargaining with the Chicago State College (CSU) administration continued once more this afternoon, whilst the continuing strike entered the second week immediately and Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson made a cease on the picket strains to go to hanging college and employees. That is the fifth bargaining session for the reason that strike started on April 3, but the administration continues to reject new union proposals and has provided nothing totally different in return. 

The 160 college and employees members within the Chicago State College chapter of the College Professionals of Illinois (CSU UPI Native 4100) had been compelled to the picket strains final week after practically one 12 months of bargaining. Members will be part of their hanging colleagues from Japanese Illinois and Governors State Universities to picket and rally tomorrow on Day 7 of the CSU UPI strike. (See under.) They may return to picket on the CSU campus on Wednesday.

“After one more bargaining session that has resulted in no settlement, our members are severely left to query this administration’s true agenda,” mentioned Dr. Valerie Goss, president of CSU UPI and a CSU alumni. “During the last a number of classes, our union staff has provided a number of inventive proposals that offered clear paths to an settlement. We proceed to come across their disrespect in the direction of our college and employees and a perpetual ‘wall of NO’ at each flip. It appears they need this strike to proceed as a result of they’re giving us no different alternative. Sadly, regardless of their public rhetoric, it’s very clear that our college students aren’t their prime precedence or this might have been settled days in the past.”

After greater than two dozen bargaining classes, the union and administration have but to resolve vital problems with workload and compensation. CSU college and employees are among the many lowest paid professionals within the state in comparison with peer establishments. On the identical time, CSU President Scott’s contract makes her one of many highest paid college leaders in Illinois, with a complete wage bundle of practically half one million {dollars} per 12 months and advantages that embody a free college automotive and a President’s Mansion.

President Scott has nonetheless not attended a single bargaining session since negotiations started. 

“Greater than something,” added Goss, “our members wish to get again into our lecture rooms to do what we love – educating our unimaginable college students. We’re so proud to instruct, information, and help college students at this Predominantly Black Establishment, however our members are demanding to be revered for the excellent work we do. We can not return till the administration works with us to achieve a good settlement that invests in our college students by investing within the college who serve them.”

Tomorrow, CSU UPI members will be part of their hanging colleagues from Japanese Illinois and Governors State Universities (GSU) to picket and rally on GSU campus. 

WHAT: CSU School and Workers Be a part of Placing Colleagues from EIU and GSU

WHO: Union members, college students, supporters and visitor audio system from CSU, EIU and GSU union chapters of the College Professionals of Illinois (UPI Native 4100)

WHEN: TOMORROW – TUESDAY, APRIL 11 – Picketing at 10 AM, rally at 12 PM (midday)

WHERE: Governor’s State College (GSU) campus, 1 College Drive, College Park, IL 
Picketing: Intersection of College Parkway (Stuenkel Highway) and College Drive (earlier than and after the rally)
Rally: Exterior the south entrance of the G Constructing
(Parking is offered on campus.) 
 
School and employees at Japanese Illinois College went on strike on April 6; their colleagues at GSU can be on strike starting tomorrow (April 11). 

“That is an unprecedented scenario,” mentioned John Miller, president of the College Professionals of Illinois, the native union for the CSU, EIU, and GSU chapters. “The truth that directors in any respect three campuses are failing miserably to prioritize their college students, college, and employees is irritating and disheartening. These universities have the out there sources to settle these contracts and supply what college students, college and employees want. It’s unconscionable that they proceed to stonewall. Our members are stepping as much as do the correct factor for his or her college students and the way forward for their campuses. We urge these college leaders to do the identical and settle these agreements now.”

Bargaining is scheduled to renew at CSU on Wednesday (April 12) at 3:30 PM.The Chicago State College chapter of the College Professionals of Illinois (IFT Native 4100) represents about 160 college, instructors, tutorial help professionals and technical help employees at Chicago State College. They’re affiliated with the Illinois Federation of Academics.