WIU Faculty Schedule Strike Authorization Vote

Union faculty at Western Illinois will vote later this month on a possible strike.

A couple of weeks ago, faculty members at WIU approved a vote of no confidence in the university administration.

Now members of the University Professionals of Illinois will be asked to weigh in on a strike authorization vote.  The union represents faculty and other workers. 

Chapter President Bill Thompson says they’ve been in contract talks with the administration since December 2016.

“We decided based on the information that we were receiving from the administration that this would be an appropriate time to ask our members to take this step,” said Thompson.

Voting will take place on Wednesday, April 18.  A ten day intent-to-strike notice could be filed the following day if the proposal is approved.

In a statement, the WIU administration says, “We urge our faculty to vote against an authorization to strike, remain in the classroom, and remain committed to our students.”

Contract talks are being aided by a mediator. 

The next bargaining session is scheduled for April 23.

Western Illinois University serves about 9,000 students at its main campus in Macomb and its Quad Cities campus in Moline.