ISU Faculty Ratify First Union Contract

BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL, IL – Today, the United Faculty of Illinois State University (UFISU) announced that their membership has overwhelmingly voted to ratify its first collective bargaining agreement. The contract will cover over 650 bargaining unit members.

The agreement makes improvements in working conditions and compensation that will help ensure ISU can continue to attract and retain world-class faculty. The union also won commitments from the university to make improvements in student mental health supports, facilities upgrades, support for international faculty, and union-management collaboration on legislative affairs.

“From the outset of our organizing efforts to the successful conclusion, our members consistently showed up and demonstrated their commitment,” said Dr. Ashley Farmer, Associate Professor, Criminal Justice & Sciences and lead negotiator for the union. “They participated in open bargaining sessions, engaged colleagues in critical conversations, attended rallies and Board of Trustees meetings, joined practice pickets, and much more. Their dedication made this achievement possible.”

Among the gains made in working conditions was the introduction of a paid parental leave policy.

“As faculty, we see the introduction of paid parental leave as a meaningful recognition of our roles as both educators and parents,” said Dr. Jessica Rick, Assistant Professor, School of Communication. “It allows us to prioritize our families during the first six weeks of parenthood and return to the classroom feeling supported and ready to teach.”

The UFISU was recognized by the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) in January, 2024 and began bargaining the following month. Representatives for the ISU administration and the union met nearly fifty times over more than 13 months to reach the four-year agreement.

UFISU is a chapter of the University Professionals of Illinois (UPI), Local 4100, which represents more than 3,000 faculty and staff at most of Illinois’ public universities. UPI President John Miller said, “We are so proud of this incredible group of faculty at ISU for their solidarity and determination. They stood strong together during difficult negotiations until they secured an agreement that benefits not only faculty, but their students and the entire Redbird community."

“More than anything, this process has shown me one powerful truth: remarkable things can happen when we show up for each other," added Farmer. "Together, we’ve made lasting, positive change at ISU — and we can all be proud of that.”

Now that it has been ratified by the membership, the contract is effective immediately.

The United Faculty of ISU (UFISU) is a chapter of the University Professionals of Illinois (UPI Local 4100), which represents more than 3,000 education professionals at seven of Illinois' 12 public universities. UPI is affiliated with the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

The Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) represents 103,000 teachers and paraprofessionals in PreK-12 school districts throughout Illinois, faculty and staff at Illinois’ community colleges and universities, public employees under every statewide elected constitutional officer, and retirees. IFT and our local unions are affiliated with the 1.8-million member American Federation of Teachers. As a higher education local, UFISU is also part of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP).

###