Following a three-day strike of building service and food service workers, the Service Employees International Union Local 73 resumed negotiation Tuesday with the University administration and a federal mediator.
The union provided a counter to the most recent proposal from the University regarding the wages of the service workers. According to a press release, the union is waiting for a response from the University, and further negotiation has been scheduled for Wednesday, March 27.
Campus spokeswoman Robin Kaler said in an email that the University was evaluating the counter proposal offered by SEIU.
Adam Rosen, SEIU communications director, said that progress was made in the negotiation “but nothing specific.”
“I think both sides are showing a willingness to come forward to give a fair contract more than ever. It’s progress. It wasn’t totally negative,” Rosen said.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
Chief negotiator for the SEIU Ricky Baldwin reiterated that there was progress, adding that “there is hope for an agreement” and that the ultimate decision lies with the union’s members.
SEIU has been looking for better wages for service workers on campus, and the delayed negotiations pushed the union to strike last Monday to Wednesday.
“We’re hopeful that when negotiation continues on Wednesday, we can bring this to a vote,” Rosen said.
