The Service Employees International Union Local 73 held a rally Wednesday morning on the Main Quad and marched throughout campus during the third day of their strike against the University.
SEIU officially went on strike Monday, shutting down certain dining halls, student convenience stores and janitorial services across campus. In the past three days, students have reported overcrowded dining halls and less flexible food options due to the strike.
“As long as we keep applying pressure, they’re going to have to (listen); keep calling that dean,” said Melody Decker, chapter 119 president and building worker, to the gathering crowd of students and strikers in front of Illini Union on Wednesday. “It’s always a struggle when you’re not getting paid, but we’re willing to take on these struggles. I’m out here with y’all all the time.”
Despite the strike’s effects on student life, SEIU has received student support, including solidarity from the Graduate Employees’ Organization, a union dedicated to supporting graduate employees at the University.
“Our siblings in SEIU have been let down again and again by university administrators,” said Andy Stec, grievance officer of GEO. “The University is nothing without us. They’ve demonstrated that in as little as three days on strike, this billion-dollar administration starts to unravel.”
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
GEO will also file an unfair labor practice against the University due to their own dissatisfaction with treatment. According to Stec, the University has failed to pay graduate employees consistently and prevented them from enrolling in healthcare.
Many other students were at the rally, joining the chants of “workers strong” as the strikers marched throughout Illini Union and down Wright Street.
“I feel like when the students get involved, it’s not like a distant group of people — we’re a gigantic, main part of the campus,” said Nnenna Iheme, freshman in LAS. “From what I know, according to my RA, their last raise was literally in cents. I think you should always take your time to show justice for what they deserve.”
