NORMAL — Nine months into negotiations for its first contract, the union that represents tenure and tenure-track faculty at Illinois State University is seeking a federal mediator's involvement. Roughly 200 union members and supporters brought the request directly to university administrators as part of a rally and march on the university quad on Wednesday. The union of about 650 tenure and tenure-track faculty was ratified in early January and entered bargaining sessions Feb.
28. Union representatives said they were marching to demand the university take seriously its responsibility to bargain in good faith, adding that the administration has not made any offers on salary, workload or plans to improve student mental health. “We’ve reached a point now where not talking about certain issues is making it really hard for our members,” said Keith Pluymers, an associate professor of history who serves on the union bargaining committee.
University administrators say it is customary to resolve major non-economic issues before discussing salary and benefit proposals. "This approach is particularly important in negotiations to establish a first contract — when literally all terms and conditions of employment, including many that impact the University’s shared governance approach, are being determined at the bargaining table," the university said in a statement provided to The Pantagraph. In further statements on a website dedicated to negotiation updates , the university a.