Northeastern Illinois University Workers Secure Transformative Contract

University Workers Achieve Major Contract Gains Through Collective Efforts

In a significant move towards improving working conditions, employees at Northeastern Illinois University, under the aegis of AFSCME Local 1989 (Council 31), have successfully negotiated a transformative contract. This development followed a series of strategic actions by union members who felt their contributions were previously undervalued by university management.

Many of the university's staff have dedicated numerous years, if not decades, to the institution. Local 1989 President Mary Serio, who has been associated with NEIU since 2002, emphasized her deep understanding of the university's dynamics and student challenges, saying, “I know this university, I know the issues the students go through.”

To draw attention to their cause, union members organized a creative campaign. In February, they set up a booth in a busy area of the campus, featuring a large Valentine’s Day card addressed to University President Katrina Bell-Jordan. The card, bearing the message “Love is a Fair Contract,” was signed by AFSCME members, students, faculty, and other campus employees.

Following this symbolic gesture, union representatives presented the card directly to President Bell-Jordan. Criage Althage, a library specialist and member of the union bargaining committee, commented, “The message we sent was that we are important to the life of this university. This helped us show that management was holding back the progressive change we were demanding.”

The negotiations, which culminated in a contract ratified by union members in July, included several pivotal achievements. A key victory was in parental leave, with the amount of leave post-birth or adoption increasing threefold. Additional enhancements were made to bereavement leave and tuition waivers, ensuring that employees facing layoffs could continue their education.

Financially, the new contract stipulates a 12% wage increase over four years. Additionally, a $415,000 equity pool will be distributed among the bargaining unit members through mutual consensus during the contract term. Mary Serio noted, “Some people are going to get some life-changing raises as a result of this contract. That means a lot to a lot of people.”

This successful contract negotiation highlights the power of union collaboration, illustrating how unified voices can lead to substantial improvements in labor conditions and benefits for employees and their communities.