URBANA Ill. (WCIA) — The building and food service workers union is on day three of protesting for higher wages. Today, other unions from around campus stood behind them.
This strike is hitting students hard. According to one student, they don’t even try to get food from the dining hall anymore because of long lines, instead opting to grab microwavable meals.
As strikes continue, here’s where negotiations stand between U of I and building, food service workers Chanting, speeches, and marching as union members with SEIU 73 continue to put pressure on the U of I. Instead of covering ground across different locations like they did earlier in the week, more than 200 protestors gathered in one spot, on the quad.
“We wanted to get everybody together,” SEIU president Melody Decker said. “That way everybody could see us. Quad’s kind of the fantastic place for everybody. Me and we had other unions joining us at the same time.”
Other unions on campus joined the cause on Wednesday, like the Graduate Employee’s Organization.
“Today is we’re just demonstrating that this is not going to work, that we are not going to accept this for our brothers and sisters in this union, a terrible contract,” GEO Union Steward Michael Klajbor said.
Students also showed their support and many have seen a big difference with a vital university work force on the picket line.
“I eat at the dining halls at least 12 times a week. That’s my meal plan,” freshman Liam Charley said. “It’s super inconvenient. I mean, I get class like within the hour I got to be in and out.
Senior Gavin Volker said people have taken to social media to voice their frustrations.
“You’ll see that people are complaining about this,” Volker said. “People have noticed a difference.”
It’s not just at the dining halls; the strain is campus wide.
I like to study in Granger Library,” Volker said. “That’s probably the library that’s been affected the most by this because there are just so many students in there. Like I said, the bathrooms are disgusting paper towels on the floor, trash everywhere.
Volker says it’s on the university to turn things around and give the workers what they deserve.
“I’m hoping they come with something fair,” Decker said. “So, we can just be done because it’s not like we don’t like our jobs. We love our jobs.”
The U of I released this statement on their HR website.
“The university desires to be an employer of choice that pays fair and attractive wages consistent with the market. We must do so in ways that are fiscally responsible and equitable. There are a number of departments funded by student fees…that continuously work to maintain affordability for students.”
Negotiations continue Thursday and Friday.
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