UIUC Building and Food Service Workers Authorize Strike

University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign (UIUC) Workers have voted overwhelmingly to strike for a fair contract. SEIU Local 73 represents 763 Food Service and Building Service Workers and has been in contract negotiations for seven months.

Workers rallied on campus in their fight for a living wage and a fair contract with support from NTFC Local 6546, UIC Graduate Employees Organization, and Steelworkers.

“Management’s latest offer of $0.54 each year for three years does nothing to keep up with rising cost of inflation,” said Dena Gary, Head Cook and Bargaining Team Member. “They offered nothing to offset our increasing parking costs. And they continue to ask us to waive our legal rights under the Paid Leave for All Workers Act.”

A federal mediator will be joining bargaining on Monday and Tuesday next week.

“It’s unfortunate that nearly every time we have to negotiate a contract with UIUC, management fails to bargain in good faith and we are forced to consider striking,” said Joseph Richert, SEIU Local 73 Secretary-Treasurer.

“Our goal has always been to secure a fair contract for the workers who keep this university running. They deserve a living wage for the services they provide,” said Richert. “Our hope is we can reach an agreement before the contracts end. If that doesn’t happen, we are prepared to strike.”

The current contracts end on August 31.