UIUC Food and Building Service Workers Kick off Strike

On the morning of September 23, nearly 800 University of Illinois—Champaign Urbana Food and Building Service workers went on strike for a fair contract.

Chants rang across the UIUC campus as workers walked the picket line in front of dining halls, delivery docks, and the Illini Union. Despite rain and falling temperatures, workers’ spirits remained high as they chanted, danced, and sang together. After facing intimidation and unfair labor charges from management, workers were energized and determined to win living wages.

After picketing all morning, workers and their union held a bargaining session with UIUC in the afternoon. UIUC proposed an offer that was smaller than the wage proposals members voted down: a $1/hr raise for the first year, 0.75 cents for year two, and 0.75 cents for year three.

Unions, Community Groups, and Students showed an outpouring of support for the strike. Members of the Iron Workers Union stopped construction on the Illini Union. Teamsters Local 26 refused to cross a picket line and canceled their scheduled contract negotiations with UIUC. The Chairman of the Champaign Democratic Party, Central Illinois Jobs with Justice, and UIUC Food Not Bombs all dropped off food for striking workers. The community-run GoFundMe to support striking workers reached $15,000.

UIUC students have joined picket lines and distributed flyers they made on their own in solidarity with the strike. They’re already feeling the absence of FSWs and BSWs. On the UIUC subreddit, students have reported moldy bread and long lines in the dining halls.

Support Striking BSWs and FSWs!

Send an email to Chancellor Jones demanding a fair contract!

Donate to a community-run strike fund

Join one of the picket lines on campus. Click here to sign up for a solidarity shift.

• Corner of Green & Lincoln
• Illini Union (Green and Wright St)
• Corner of Oak & Kirby,
• Corner of Lincoln & Florida
• Illinois Street Residence (918 W Illinois Street, Urbana)
• Ikenberry Residence Hall (301 E Gregory Drive, Champaign)