The United Faculty of Illinois State University (UFISU) filed its Intent to Strike notice earlier this week. Over the past year, University administration and UFISU have bargained back and forth, seeking fair wages for all faculty. Here is a definitive timeline on the negotiations dating back to February 2024: Spring 2024 The first bargaining session took place on Feb. 28, 2024. ISU faculty expressed feelings of isolation within their schools and departments through spokesperson and associate professor Ashley Farmer. UFISU presented University administration with copies of a proposal based on the Bargaining Pillars of the union. University administration has been led by Mark Bennett of Laner Muchin Ltd. After questioning different aspects of the proposal, Bennett assured that the University would have counterproposals by the next meeting. During a four-hour session in March, the ISU administration did not have counterproposals or sign any tentative agreement. Testimonials from staff were a focal point during the spring sessions. Xiaoying Zhao, an international faculty member, shared that ISU’s management of the immigration process was slow and complex, with a lack of on-campus help. Zhao also revealed that several of the fees included were paid out of pocket, a surprising detail for some administrators. UFISU revealed that ISU had the lowest salary for its professors in the state of Illinois. Bennett presented a short proposal during the final session in March. The proposal said that the University believed that no fundamental change was needed at that time. In April, UFISU rejected several proposals from ISU administration and submitted counterproposals, highlighting the need for change and fair compensation. Union faculty and ISU administration signed their first tentative agreement on April 29, 2024, regarding the economic availability of the final agreement. Summer 2024 A movement in tentative agreements was seen over the summer during the first session on May 16, 2024. UFISU and University administration signed three proposals, among them being No Strike No Lockout, stating that union members are not authorized to strike after signing the contract. Proposals for non-discrimination and workplace bullying were two key topics discussed in May. On June 5, 2024, both parties signed their sixth tentative agreement on union dues. During the June session, University administration heard presentations from Director of Environmental Health and Safety Adam McCrary and Executive Director of Facilities Services Kristie Toohill. Both discussed their areas and responsibilities in terms of their current projects on campus. This led to the conversation on health, safety and facilities, where the UFISU expressed concern over the lack of locks on doors across campus in the event of an active shooter. Administration said the concern was unnecessary to bring into the bargaining agreement. UFISU and ISU administration signed a tentative agreement on July 31, 2024, which focused on academic freedom. The proposal enabled faculty to select materials and develop assignments within their individual courses and assign additional materials if needed in their courses. In August, union faculty revisited the need for door locks in buildings across campus. Administration also made progress on all-gender restrooms on campus. Fall 2024 Both parties had their first session of the fall semester on Aug. 23, 2024, where a Memorandum of Understanding on Facilities Improvements was agreed upon. This included a commitment from ISU administration to install locks on all classroom doors within five years and solidified progress on all-gender restrooms. On Aug. 28, 2024, two additional agreements were signed, relating to health and safety and facilities. Until this point, no economic proposals were made by the administration. UFISU members had waited seven months because the proposals were related to staff workload and pay. An agreement on limitations and savings was signed on Sept. 16, 2024. In November 2024, grievance, non-discrimination and disability were the main points of bargaining. On Nov. 19, UFISU requested mediation due to its frustration with the administration’s response to the proposals. Mediation was also requested due to the lack of economic proposals. ISU administration denied the request for joint mediation since the union faculty had to make a request to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board first. Salary was the main focus of December’s mediation session. UFISU and ISU administration presented different numbers, which further deepened the disconnect between them. Spring 2025 UFISU spoke during the public comment portion of the Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 21, 2025. Jessica Rick, an assistant professor in the School of Communication, shared her personal experiences as a parent and advocated for a new child leave policy. School of Communication professor Joseph Zompetti discussed the financial stresses ISU faculty face. Ashley Farmer, an associate professor of criminal justice sciences and lead UFISU negotiator, voiced concerns about the uncertainty of a fair contract. UFISU’s current demands ask for an average salary increase of over 28% over the next 33 months. The approximate salary at ISU is $88,089, which is 12% below the national average. During the mediation session on March 24, 2025, UFISU informed University administration that it filed an Intent to Strike notice with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board. Faculty members can go on strike as early as April 4. The filing does not mean that all union faculty members will go on strike, but it allows them to do so, if necessary. Future mediation sessions will take place April 2 and April 4.