University of Illinois Prepares for Ensuing Strike

By Jake Guidry in News on Nov 10, 2009 10:30PM

In less than a week, graduate teaching and research assistants at the University of Illinois may go on strike for the first time ever. According to The News-Gazette, on Monday, the Graduate Employees' Organization voted overwhelmingly in favor to authorize a strike against the UI Board of Trustees if an agreement can't be met. The GEO has been negotiating with UI administrators for over six months, seeking a contract "that would set the minimum salary for a 50 percent nine-month appointment at the UI's estimate of a living wage for a graduate student, as well as protect tuition waivers for TAs and GAs."

The next round of negotiations are slated for November 17th between the GEO and UI administration. GEO spokesman Peter Campbell said that the group is "interested in solving this through negotiation," but there is still a strike plan in place expected to commence as early as November 16th.

Urbana campus spokeswoman Robin Kaler was disappointed with the vote and said it wasn't in the best interest of the GEO to hold a strike, but is "planning for that eventuality." The GEO reported its members teach more than 23% of course hours at the undergraduate level on the Urbana campus.