More than 300 Illinois State University workers end monthlong strike after ratifying new contract

Approximately 350 workers at Illinois State University returned to work on Wednesday, after ratifying a new contract agreement following a nearly month-long strike.

Building services, dining services, and grounds workers represented by AFSCME Local 1110 walked off the job at ISU in downstate Normal on April 8.

After six meetings with a federal mediator, the union and AFSCME reached a tentative agreement on a new contract on Monday.

"I'm pleased the bargaining teams reached agreement and the union members voted to ratify the contract," said Illinois State University President Aondover Tarhule. "The University appreciates the efforts made by both bargaining teams as they worked late into the night to reach this agreement, which reflects a collective commitment to moving forward together. I encourage our campus community to unite in the spirit of collaboration, respect all individuals' rights and choices, and work to heal differences of opinion, real or perceived, so that we may reestablish our sense of shared values and mission."   

Workers voted to ratify the contract on Tuesday. The new five-year contract includes a $1,500 signing bonus for each employee, and an immediate pay raise of 3.5%. It also includes 3% pay increases in 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029. In 2028 and 2029, if the university provides more than a 3% pay hike to non-union employees, AFSCME workes also will get the same raise.

"This struggle was about fair pay, and we won that. Even more importantly, it was about respect, and we earned it," said Chuck Carver, a building service worker and president of AFSCME Local 1110.  

As part of the contract, AFSCME also has agreed to drop a lawsuit accusing the university of illegally hiring non-union workers to do their jobs during the strike, and to withdraw other claims of unfair labor practices the union had filed against the university.