ISU and faculty union reach tentative deal, averting strike

[Omaha Steve]

Illinois State University faculty and their supporters gathered on the Quad on Thursday, March 27, 2025, for a demonstration as the campus braced for a potential faculty union strike.

WGLT | By Ryan Denham
Published April 4, 2025 at 4:44 PM CDT
Updated April 4, 2025 at 7:06 PM CDT

Illinois State University and its faculty union reached a tentative agreement Friday, averting a strike that could have begun at any moment. Terms of the deal were not released.

The tentative agreement comes after nearly 50 negotiating sessions between ISU administrators and the United Faculty of ISU union. The union represents 650 tenured and tenure-track faculty and was negotiating its first contract after getting recognition.

ISU and the union issued a joint statement Friday night announcing the deal. Joint statements are not always made after contentious negotiations. A union official told WGLT it was a “symbolic step” that the two sides are ready to move forward in a positive and productive way.

“Over the past year, the University and the Union worked collaboratively to find common ground and reach agreement on a first contract that ensures Illinois State’s tenure-track faculty are compensated in a manner that is competitive with our peer institutions,” the joint statement said. “The University and the Union appreciate the collaboration and commitment of the negotiating teams to reach an agreement that serves the University and our students. We look forward to continuing to work together to achieve our shared goals.”

FULL story: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2025-04-04/isu-and-faculty-union-reach-tentative-deal-averting-strike