After ten months of bargaining, the union representing faculty and academic support professionals at Western Illinois University has reached a tentative agreement with the administration.
That comes after University Professionals of Illinois Local 4100 members’ contracts expired last month.
The two sides met regularly to come to an agreement before students return to campus next month.
The union represents 435 WIU employees.
One part of the agreement is a commitment to develop a summer bridge program to help prepare students for college and improve retention.
In a release, WIU UPI President Patrick McGinty said members appreciate the university’s willingness to work with members and the university’s board of trustees for leadership and encouragement.
WIU UPI is committed to promoting and ensuring exceptional educational experiences for our students, and we believe this agreement helps to realize our vision of what is possible at Western Illinois University.WIU UPI President Patrick McGinty
Further details, such as contract length and annual salary increases, will be released after members review the pact and hold a ratification vote. A date for the vote has not been set.
In earlier negotiations, the union was asking for three-year contract with pay raises of eight-percent, six-percent, and six-percent raises, as previously reported by Tri-States Public Radio (in Macomb, IL).
The administration earlier proposed a six-year contract with a half-percent raise in year one, a one-percent raise in year two, and salary reopeners for the final four years.
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