ISU Student Support Professionals File to Unionize

BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL, IL – An overwhelming majority of student support professionals at Illinois State University (ISU) filed authorization cards today with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB), affirming their intent to form a union and become a chapter of the University Professionals of Illinois (UPI, Local 4100).

“After beginning our organizing effort during the spring, we’re so excited to take the next step in the process by filing cards to become a union,” said Vicky Johnson, an academic advisor at ISU. “Forming this union will give us a stronger voice to advocate for the needs of students and ourselves as professionals who are committed to supporting them during their journey at ISU and beyond.”

Student support professionals play a vital role for ISU students by providing critical academic, financial, and other advising and support services throughout their college experience and as they begin careers. Their work sets students up for success by ensuring they register for the necessary classes, secure available financial aid to have an affordable university experience, and graduate on time, prepared to pursue a first job in their career field.

Despite their critical contributions to student success, these professionals are underpaid, overworked, and feel disrespected by the university administration. Many must work multiple jobs to make ends meet or are forced to leave Bloomington-Normal to take identical positions at regional institutions that pay thousands more, which directly harms the local economy. Often, advisors have caseloads of several hundred students, which causes job burnout and does not allow them time to serve each student’s needs. These problems are compounded when the administration refuses to respect their advanced degrees and years of service. The administration treats these vital professionals as interchangeable “parts” that can be replaced when one wears out.

Student support workers - and ISU students - deserve better. With a union, they can both have it.

“For the last three years, ISU has experienced record undergraduate enrollment, and that is expected to continue as the new College of Engineering grows,” said Kevin Wilson, academic advisor. “We want to be sure that every student gets the support they need. That’s the main reason that student support professionals are overwhelmingly saying, “Union Yes!”

Mark Angleton, academic advisor, added, "We love the work we do and want to give students the best possible support. It’s only fair that we’re paid and treated fairly in return. Joining together in our union, we will be better positioned to demand that we are treated as professionals.”

Once certified by the IELRB, the new union will issue a demand to bargain with ISU administration for a first contract.

"Just like their faculty colleagues and workers all around the country who have organized in this moment, these professionals are saying ‘enough is enough’,” said UPI President John Miller, who also serves as Membership Secretary for the Illinois Federation of Teachers. “At a time when Illinois’ public universities are fighting for desperately needed funding from the state, we’re excited that ISU’s student support professionals have come together to join the fight to not only better their own working conditions, but to strengthen their institution for the sake of students. We welcome them into our UPI family and will stand in solidarity with them to help win important victories at ISU and across Illinois.”

The University Professionals of Illinois (UPI Local 4100) 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 105,000 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. AFT higher education locals are also part of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP).

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