The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

Workers picket for contract change

The University’s building service workers picketed outside the Activities and Recreation Center Tuesday morning.

Ricky Baldwin, senior field organizer of Service Employees International Union (SEIU Local 73), led the workers in negotiating and picketing.

Food and building service workers want a new wage contract with the University, one that will add job securities and increase their wages. The University and building service workers have been negotiating since the old contract expired in July, and Baldwin said he believes that a mediator is now necessary.

“They just haven’t responded to anything, and they told us if we met again and didn’t get anywhere that we would get a mediator,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin said he believes a professional mediator would be able to bring the two sides closer together and is another set of eyes and ears that can be reasonable.

Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!

  • Catch the latest on University of Illinois news, sports, and more. Delivered every weekday.
  • Stay up to date on all things Illini sports. Delivered every Monday.
Thank you for subscribing!

University workers recently came together to discuss their intent to go on strike. About 98 percent of building service workers and 94 percent of food service workers voted in favor of a potential strike “if necessary.”

“It’s almost like the University is daring us to strike, and I sincerely hope that is not the case because these people will do it,” Baldwin said.

He added that he has received several phone calls from workers asking him “when are we walking.”

More to Discover
ILLordle: Play now