UIC Updates

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Last Updated: 3/12/25

Latest Updates

The four UIC contracts are now available online. Click here to find your contract (under Higher Education).

March 12

March 25 Lobby Day

SEIU Local 73 is reconvening in Springfield for another massive lobby day. This time, we’ll join forces with education workers from UIC, UIUC, CPS, and many other worksites across the state! Register to participate below.

We will be lobbying for the following:

  • State funding and support for Higher Education and Healthcare
  • Joining INA in asking elected officials to support our demand that President Killeen and the Board of Trustees expand parental leave from 6 to 12 weeks.
  • Fair Retirement and Recruitment Act to fix the Tier 2 pensions
  • Summer unemployment insurance K-12 & Higher Ed workers
  • And much more!

2025 Tabling Dates

We have secured monthly tabling dates on the Chicago East & West campus through May 2025. Please see this flyer for a list of all the tabling dates.

Our upcoming tabling dates are:

  • Mar 12: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Student Center East, 750 S. Halsted St.
  • Mar 13: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Specialty Care Building, 1009 S Wood St, Room 2105
  • Apr 16: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Student Center East, 750 S. Halsted St.
  • Apr 17: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Specialty Care Building, 1009 S Wood St, Room 2105

Union Representatives

Last month, emails were sent out to all union members to provide you with the name and contact information of your union representative. If you have questions about any of the updates below, please reach out to your union representative. If you missed the email, you can refer to this flyer, breaking down which union representatives are assigned to which areas.

Tabling Dates

Your union will be on the Chicago campus to answer questions and provide updates and resources for union members at the dates and times listed below. More tabling dates OR meetings can be scheduled in UIC buildings across the city and state as needed.
Please reach out to your union steward or staff representative to schedule.

UIC Student Center East (750 S Halsted St.)
Wednesday, March 12: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Wednesday, April 16: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Wednesday, May 14: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

UIC Specialty Care Building (1009 S Wood St., Room 2105)
Thursday, March 13: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Thursday, April 17: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Thursday, May 15: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

News Coverage

WBBM Coverage of the tentative agreement — 05/10/24

Looking for more news?

UIC Union News Archive

Purple Up Newsletter and Bargaining Archive

To show UIC that we are standing united, it’s time to relaunch #PurpleWednesdays! Participation is easy, just wear your Local 73 purple swag – buttons, hats, t-shirts, or hoodies – or any purple on Wednesdays. Join your coworkers by purpling up next Wednesday!

Your union will be sending biweekly Purple Wednesday emails with updates on bargaining, campaigns, and other important information.

Purple Up Newsletter – March 12

Purple Up Newsletter – February 11

Purple Up Newsletter – October 22

Purple Up Newsletter – September 26

Purple Up Newsletter – September 5

Purple Up Newsletter – August 7

Contract Update – July 23

Contract Update- June 21

Bargaining Update – May 3

Bargaining Update – April 29

Bargaining Update- April 23

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – April 17

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – April 10

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – April 3

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – March 27

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – March 20

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – March 6

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – February 22

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – February 7

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – January 31

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – January 24

Bargaining Update – January 12

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – December 6

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – October 12

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – August 23

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – July 12

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – June 20

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – June 07

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – May 16

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – May 03

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – April 18

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – April 05

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – March 23

Purple Wednesday Newsletter – March 07

Purple Wednesday Newsletter- February 22

Purple Wednesdays Are BACK!

Find Your Union Steward and Staff Representative

Staff at the local are assigned to work with specified buildings, departments and colleges of the university. These assignments may change from time to time. Please see the list below for an updated breakdown of which staff are assigned to which areas and their contact information. If you do not see your area listed below, reach out to Melinda Bunnage, Deputy Director of Higher Education, at mbunnage@seiu73.org.

Cheriell Jackson (CJ), cjackson@seiu73.org

  • UI Health:
  • Admin Services
  • Ambulatory Clinics/Services (OCC)
  • Miles Square Clinics
  • Labs & Pathology
  • University Health Service
  • Support and General Services (Mostly Clerical – Patient Access, Logistics, and Experience)
  • Student Centers East and West (Campus Aux Network, BSWs, and Sodexo)

Felix Ortiz, fortiz@seiu73.org 

  • DSCC – Southern Region
  • VC of Admin Services (Mostly BSWs)
  • College of Medicine
  • Chicago – Clerical/Techs
  • Peoria
  • Rockford
  • College of Nursing
  • College of Dentistry
  • College of Pharmacy
  • School of Public Health
  • VC for Research/ BRL

Abby Schultz, aschultz@seiu73.org  

  • UI Health
    • UI Health:
    • Ancillary Services
      • Radiology, Oncology, Pharmacy, Cardiovascular, Dialysis, Transplant
    • Materials Management
      • Transporters and Store Keepers
    • Nursing/Hospital
      • Nurse Techs, Social Workers, OR, ER, Pharmacy
    • Specialty Care Building

Lyra Spencer, lspencer@seiu73.org

  • DSCC – Northern Region
  • Pros at UIH/COM Chicago – Rehab Services, Dieticians, Social Work
  • Pro / Clerical in Chicago Academic Colleges and Student Services, including:
  • Applied Health Sciences, Community Health, Cultural Centers, Education, Engineering, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Library, Student Affairs, Technology Solutions
  • UIC School of Law

Look here for a complete list of UIC stewards. Every department should have a steward. If you don’t have a steward in your area, nominate yourself or someone else here!