Bargaining Update
Today’s bargaining session was well-attended, with more than 30 specialized faculty filling our side of the room in the Illini Union.
The negotiators discussed priorities for overwork protections and wages. Our lead negotiators, Dani Nyikos and Rachel Fein-Smolinski, made a strong case for NTFC’s stances on both these issues.
The admin team took a more conciliatory tone today, saying that they appreciate the commitment that specialized faculty have toward making our institution a better place.
A standout moment came when co-lead negotiator Dani Nyikos shared some data to paint a picture of the standard of living for someone earning the admin team’s proposed salary floor of $51,500. They asked the admin team, “What quality of life do you imagine for someone earning the salary floor? Two-story house, picket fence, dog, two and a half kids?” Dani pointed out that according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the US Department of Commerce, in 2022 the average personal consumption expenditure in Illinois was $54,340. They pointed out that that’s about $3000 higher than the proposed salary floor. Dani said, “So we’re talking $3000 in plasma, or $3000 in credit card debt.” (A callback to last week’s testimony by English department lecturer Michael VanCalbergh, who donates plasma to make ends meet as a single dad.)
Dani earns less than $50,000, and they used themself as an example. They went on to cite that, according to CNBC, the minimum income to buy a house in Illinois is $82,586. They cited a battery of data points about the earnings needed to buy a house and support a family, laying bare the realities of daily life for the lowest-earning specialized faculty. Dani said, “I would like to buy a house, I would like to have a kid. I just want to make sure management knows how we’re living.”
The admin team’s lead negotiator responded, “We don’t take into account how an individual’s salary impacts their standard of living. We primarily focus on the market.”
This is why we organize as a union and collectively bargain. Admin may not consider our standard of living, but we do. And collective bargaining empowers us to be part of the process of making decisions about our quality of life.
After this, four NTFC members shared their stories of how they’ve been affected by years of low wages and raises that don’t keep up with inflation, despite winning awards and recognition for their professional achievements. Many thanks to Heather McLeer, Mike Odom, Betsy Bevis, and Charles Fogelman.
Our lead negotiators had a long sidebar with the admin team’s lead negotiators to discuss priorities on both sides, with the goal of obtaining a better understanding of each other’s position and trying to find common ground. They report that it was a useful conversation, and our bargaining team will work on drafting language for a new comprehensive proposal, which we’ll present at our next bargaining session on May 10.
Solidarity Rally
Around 200 people rallied with us yesterday outside the Illini Union! The energy was incredible, and we made a strong show of support for the four locals on campus that are currently bargaining: NTFC #6546, SEIU #73, AFSCME #698, and AFSCME #3700.
Our other sibling unions on campus, GEO and UFO, came out in solidarity as well! That made a total of 6 campus unions represented at the rally.
We gathered outside the Illini Union at 12pm, ate lunch, and heard speeches from Ben Riegler of AFSCME #698, Justus Fortado of SEIU #73, and Daniel Franco of AFSCME #3700. Then, we marched around the quad, chanting and cheering. Our very own Kay Emmert expertly emceed the event. Returning to the Illini Union, we cheered AFSCME #3700 on as they headed into their 1pm bargaining session. After this, we heard speeches from Ben Laff of UFO, Joseph Van Lieshout of GEO, and David Cisneros of CFA. Finally, Kary Zarate burned the house down with a speech on behalf of NTFC!
We’re thankful to the Campus Faculty Association for their support of the event. It meant a lot to see our tenure-track colleagues marching with us! We’re also grateful for the support we received from Central Illinois Jobs with Justice and One Fair Wage, and the assistance provided by our affiliate, the Illinois Federation of Teachers.
We are serious about getting a fair contract, and serious about supporting all the unions on campus. A victory for one is a victory for all!
Take Action – Email the Provost
It will only take around 10 seconds– follow the link to send a pre-filled email message to the Provost’s Office (or edit it/write your own, if you want), telling them that NTFC, AFSCME, and SEIU deserve a fair contract!
Next Session
At the next session, our bargaining team will present a new comprehensive proposal, focusing on the items that NTFC members have reported are most important to them. All members are welcome to come.
- Friday, May 10, 9am-12pm
- Location: Illini Union Ballroom
