U of I staff to file intent to strike
Updated: October 12, 2012
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS -- Months of negotiations going nowhere could cause UI staff to strike. The Graduate Employee's Organization teaches 20% of the university's students.
For six months teaching assistants have been working without contracts. Negotiators met 19 times with no solution. The biggest issue is whether the employees should get free tuition.
Stephanie Seawell says that issue hits close to home. "If there weren't tuition waivers I wouldn't be here. And that's what we are trying to get the administration to understand. And we are just asking us to talk to us about the issue."
All but one member of the group voted to file an intent to strike. University leaders have now agreed to bring in a federal mediator.
For six months teaching assistants have been working without contracts. Negotiators met 19 times with no solution. The biggest issue is whether the employees should get free tuition.
Stephanie Seawell says that issue hits close to home. "If there weren't tuition waivers I wouldn't be here. And that's what we are trying to get the administration to understand. And we are just asking us to talk to us about the issue."
All but one member of the group voted to file an intent to strike. University leaders have now agreed to bring in a federal mediator.
