CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Faculty at the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) said they want more pay, better job security, changes in workload, and expanded mental health care for UIC students.
Those were among several of the demands made by members of the UIC United Faculty (UICUF) bargaining team, as they declared an official strike date of Jan. 17 — just over one week after classes are scheduled to begin.
The union has been without a new contract since mid-August, despite ongoing negotiations that started back in April.
Charitianne Williams, a senior lecturer in the English Department and a UICUF bargaining team member, said compensation is always an issue, but she added that it’s even more pressing this year.
“In a world where inflation has gone up,” Williams said. “Where the cost of living has gone up. Where instructors and faculty are doing more with less — we would also like our compensation to go up.”
Some of the demands, such as free evaluations for learning disabilities for UIC students, are already provided at University of Illinois’ Urbana-Champaign campus.
“It would make such a difference in so many of our students' lives, in faculty lives, who could then receive clear guidance on how to best help their students instead of just winging it,” Williams said.
Williams said more bargaining sessions are set for this week and next, but she's not fully confident a new contract will be reached.
UIC has not yet responded to WBBM’s request for comment.
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