Bargaining Update

At our last session, the admin team agreed to come to today’s session with a response to our proposal.

And indeed, they brought a response. But it wasn’t what we expected. We were disappointed to read a document that is nearly identical to their previous proposal, and does not meaningfully engage with most of the items in our most recent proposal. Here is where their proposal stands on some key topics:

1. Wages: Identical to their previous proposal, with one tiny exception. This was a small increase to the one-time salary increases associated with a promotion. This increased their total economic package by less than 0.3%. They still have the salary floor at $51,500 and a 1% merit pool for raises. Compression adjustment is still woefully small. There was essentially no movement on wages.
2. PI Status: They did not accept our language about allowing all specialized faculty with a terminal research degree and job duties including research to serve as PI’s. Instead, they suggest that faculty apply for PI status under the existing Eligibility to Serve as a Principal Investigator (PI) Policy. They added the phrase that requests for PI status “shall not be unreasonably denied.”
3. Modified Teaching Duties: After we informed the admin team that Research (Assistant/Associate) Professors have duties that include teaching classes, the admin team updated their proposal to include them in the Modified Teaching Duties policy. (Senior/Principal) Instructors and Lecturers are still excluded from the policy, in the admin team’s proposal. And they are still excluding death and terminal illness of a close family member, and only including childbirth and adoption.
4. Research Funding, Expanding Multiyear Contracts, Gender Affirming Care, Combating Overwork: No meaningful changes or engagement with our proposal.

In our most recent proposal, we demonstrated our willingness to compromise. We took into account the conversations in bargaining, as well as the admin team’s proposal. Our second proposal is quite different from our first proposal. Yet their second proposal is nearly identical to their first one. Why are they so unwilling to compromise?

Our lead negotiators, Rachel and Dani, strongly advocated for our members as they questioned the admin’s rationale in omitting the protections and benefits in our proposal. 

At the next session, we will bring a response to the admin team’s proposal on Article IX: Benefits and Leaves. We also anticipate that we will sign a tentative agreement on Article IV: Union Membership and Union Activity.

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– as well as our fellow campus unions AFSCME 698, AFSCME 3700, and SEIU 73– deserve a fair contract!

Next Session

At the next session, we will bring a response to the admin team’s proposal on Article IX: Benefits and Leaves. We also anticipate that we will sign a tentative agreement on Article IV: Union Membership and Union Activity. All members are welcome to come.

• Friday, May 24, 9am-12pm
• Location: Illini Union Ballroom

In Solidarity

Theresa Dobbs (she/her)

NTFC President

Bargaining Update

After some clarifying questions about modified teaching duties, our bargaining team printed out our comprehensive proposal and presented it to the admin team.

We found some areas to compromise on, as it’s important to us to work productively and reach an agreement. 

We are holding strong on the following items:

• Salary Floor
• Fair Raises and Compression Adjustments
• PI Status for Specialized Faculty with terminal research degrees and research responsibilities
• Access to research funding
• Expanding Multi Year Contracts
• Reimbursement program for Gender Affirming Care
• Modified Teaching Duties for Life Events
• Combating Overwork

We had to drop our demand for just cause protections for non-reappointment, but we are working on improving protections for reappointment as well as the promotion process.

Our lead negotiators, Rachel and Dani, did an admirable job presenting the proposal and fielding questions. A productive conversation took place about the implementation of a possible Modified Teaching Duties policy.

At the next session, the admin team will have a response to our proposal. 

Take Action – Email the Provost

It will only take around 10 seconds– follow the link below 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– as well as our fellow campus unions AFSCME 698, AFSCME 3700, and SEIU 73– deserve a fair contract!

If you like, you can add a section specifically asking that they accept our updated proposal as written.

Next Session

At the next session, the admin team will give their response to our updated proposal. All members are welcome to come.

• Friday, May 17, 1-4pm
• Location: TBD

In Solidarity

Theresa Dobbs

NTFC Communications Chair

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

Bargaining Update

Dozens of specialized faculty members filled the Illini Union Ballroom today to hear the administration’s bargaining team present their proposal on wages, benefits, and leaves. 

We were disappointed to read a wholly inadequate proposal, one that fails to address the issues of fair compensation, workload, job security, and benefits that we have negotiated for since December.

The admin team proposed raising the salary floor from $47,500 to $51,500. This miniscule increase does far too little for our lowest-paid bargaining unit members. A Champaign Unit 4 teacher with a doctorate starts at $65K, so why should we earn less?

NTFC’s proposal involved a flat raise program that would guarantee a minimum dollar amount raise for all bargaining unit members, to promote pay equity. But the admin team rejected this and proposed a 1% merit pool. With inflation at 3-4%, this leaves most specialized faculty earning less and less each year, in real terms.

Admin’s proposal on Modified Teaching Duties is not satisfactory, but it’s a starting point. They proposed extending the benefit to Teaching (Assistant/Associate) Professors and Clinical (Assistant/Associate) Professors only, and only for childbirth and adoption. (We had proposed this benefit for all bargaining unit members, and for serious illness and bereavement as well as childbirth and adoption.) We will keep fighting so that all bargaining unit members can have access to modified teaching duties for life events!

The admin team also fully rejected our proposals on:

• Reimbursement program for gender affirming care
• Increasing funds for research and professional development
• Just cause for non-renewal
• Allowing specialized faculty to serve as principal investigators of research projects

Keep in mind: now that we’ve received their economic counter, this is just the beginning. Nothing is set in stone, except that they can’t unilaterally go back on something they’ve already conceded. So we will keep negotiating to get the best contract possible for specialized faculty!

In bargaining, six NTFC members bravely stood up and shared their stories of how these issues affect their lives, personally and professionally. Many thanks to Matt Schering, Kary Zarate, Amanda Bales, Katrina Gaffney, Michael VanCalbergh, and Bryan Dunne for testifying to your experiences and advocating for change. 

Statement of Solidarity with Building Service Workers

While we were in bargaining this morning, Building Service Workers (BSW’s) represented by SEIU Local #73 were ordered to tear down the tents of peaceful protestors outside Alma Mater. We condemn the University’s actions in ordering BSW’s to participate in political (and potentially illegal) acts, without advising them of their right to refuse. We stand in solidarity with Building Service Workers, many of whom are upset at being obligated to participate in the suppression of free speech.

Solidarity Rally

This proposal from admin shows that they seem to think they can push specialized faculty around. Let’s show them how wrong they are! 

Our Solidarity Rally for Campus Unions will take place on Thursday, May 2, 12-1:30pm in the Main Quad outside the Illini Union. Come and show support for NTFC and the other locals on campus that are currently bargaining (SEIU #73, AFSCME #698, and AFSCME #3700). There will be speeches from each union. All our members and supporters in the community are welcome to rally with us!

Next Session

At the next session, we will present NTFC’s counterproposal. All members are welcome to come.

• Friday, May 3, 9am-12pm
• Location: Illini Union, room 314A

Actions and Events

As the semester is starting to wind down, bargaining is heating up! We expect to receive admin’s proposal on wages, benefits, and leaves this Friday at bargaining. There are a lot of ways to show your support for NTFC’s bargaining efforts. Here are our upcoming actions and events. Your participation at any level will be greatly appreciated! 

(1) This Friday: Pack the Room!

This Friday, we’re looking forward to hearing the university’s proposal on wages, benefits, and leaves. Join us there, to show support! We need as many people in the room as possible. This is a high-priority event, and it would mean a lot if you can be there. You can come late, leave early, or stay the whole time. 

Bargaining sessions are open to all members represented by NTFC. During bargaining, we ask that you sit quietly. You are welcome to participate in caucus. Bring a sign or union gear if you have it, or come as you are. 

• Friday, April 26, 9am-12pm
• Illini Union Ballroom

(2) This Friday: Wings and Working Conditions and Sign Making

We’re having our last social event of the semester! Come and enjoy wings, drinks, and camaraderie! This is also a good time to process the events from the morning’s bargaining session, in community with other union members. We’ll have sign making materials, and you can make a sign for next week’s rally.

• Friday, April 26, 5-8pm
• Quality Bar, Champaign

(3) Next Week Thursday: Solidarity Rally

Are you planning your schedule for Reading Day? The most important chunk of time to set aside for NTFC engagement is 12-1:30pm. (If you’re able to set aside 10am-12pm as well, that is great, but less important.)  

On Reading Day, our usual Work-In will be shorter, as we’ll transition to a Solidarity Rally on the Quad, to support the campus unions that are currently bargaining: NTFC #6546, SEIU #73, AFSCME #698, and AFSCME #3700. We’d love to have a great turnout at the rally! Invite friends, colleagues, students, and anyone you know who supports campus unions.

• Reading Day Work-In
  • Thursday, May 2, 10am-12pm
  • Illini Union Courtyard Cafe
• Solidarity Rally
  • Thursday, May 2, 12-1:30pm
  • Main Quad outside Illini Union
  • This is a high priority event!