Striking faculty, students, and other supporters picketed across campus, as the UIS tenure/tenure-track faculty strike continued into its fifth day on Tuesday, April 7. The Tuesday bargaining session lasted eight hours and resulted in another tentative agreement between the union and the administration, according to the University’s collective bargaining page. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8.

One of the union’s key issues has been salary increases. The administration has offered a $16 raise, which represents a 1% boost to salaries, while United Faculty demands a more substantial increase to compensate for the rising cost-of-living and to keep pace with the raises given to the chancellor and some administrators.

According to Kristi Barnwell, UIS history professor and strike captain, there has been minor progress made in negotiators relating to faculty salaries.

“The last I heard from the bargaining team, there was a slight movement to increase our pay on average to $24 a month, rather than the $16 that the administration previously offered. But it’s not moving forward much,” said Barnwell.

Monetary concerns are not the only topic on the bargaining table. Restricting AI surveillance and anti-bullying/anti-harassment provisions are two other issues that United Faculty and the UIS administration continue to negotiate on.

The university maintains that it does not believe a strike is necessary and that all its offers are in good faith and reflect the institution’s financial limitations. A statement from Jill Wilberg, UIS vice chancellor for finance and administration, recently announced that UIS will end the current fiscal year with a $19 million deficit.

“To sustain our mission, we must bring revenues and expenses back into balance and focus on long-term financial stability,” a statement on the university collective bargaining page said.

To show their appreciation for the students that have come out to support the faculty on the strike this week, the union held a pizza party at the Brookens Overhang. Dozens of students joined faculty outside the library for free lunch and to walk the picket lines.

This event also included student speakers who spoke about their views on the strike.

“I did not get here on my own. I got here thanks to the genuine support and guidance of my professors at UIS. That’s what makes this strike personal for me,” said student speaker Rae Constula.

A central theme of United Faculty’s messaging throughout the strike has been their solidarity with students. Striking faculty say this strike is for the benefit of UIS students as well as themselves.

“I am on strike for a fair contract. I am on strike for my colleagues and I am on strike for my students. I want this institution to show that it is willing to put money in places that impact students the most. I want the administration to come to the table to bargain with us fairly and to invest in UIS and that means investing in the faculty and investing in our students,” said Stephanie Hedge, associate professor of English.

It hasn’t only been striking faculty and students on the picket line this week. Sitting legislators have come to the demonstrations on the UIS campus to make their support of the union heard. On Friday, state Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, expressed her support, while on Monday U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, addressed striking faculty from the picket line.

Budzinski talked about the rising cost-of-living, inflated gas prices, increased utilities costs, and other financial struggles that Americans are currently facing. She said that the University has a responsibility to pay its faculty enough to support themselves and their loved ones.

“I am so proud to stand with you today, in front of UIS and this administration to say that you deserve a fair contract. You deserve wages that are going to provide for your family,” Budzinski said.

The congresswoman also urged United Faculty members to remain on strike until their demands had been met.

“This strike will continue until you can get a fair contract. I want you to know that I am here with you, today and every day, standing in solidarity,” said Budzinski.

The UIS support Staff Union, which also voted to authorize a strike in March, has its next bargaining sessions scheduled with UIS administration for Friday, April 10.

Service and support employees at Illinois State University (ISU) are also on the brink of a strike. After working nearly a year without a contract they have given ISU president, Aondover Tarhule, until Wednesday, April 8 to reach an agreement, otherwise the union will go on strike.