UI Food Service and Building Service workers vote to approve contract

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A new three-year contract has been set for UIUC Food Service and Building Service Workers.

SEIU Local 73 confirmed the members of the union voted to approve the new three-year contract. Among the items in the contract are a $500 signing bonus and pay raises of $1.00 for the first year, $0.90 for the second and $0.85 for the third.

Another provision included is some Food Service workers may not be laid off over the summer, with any worker not laid off guaranteed to be offered a 40-hour work week. The laid off workers will continue to be offered other work opportunities.

The union went on strike for eight days with the University . The strike ended Monday.

Union workers said they will continue to fight for fair contracts.

“This hard-fought victory doesn’t end here,” said Dian Palmer, the SEIU Local 73 President. “Leadership of the $8 billion University of Illinois system continually fails to prioritize the workers who keep the universities clean, safe, and functioning.”

Robin Kaler, UIUC’s Associate Chancellor for Strategic Communications and Marketing, gave the following statement on the contract ratification.

“We are pleased that members of SEIU Local 73 have ratified the agreement we reached earlier this week. Employees returned to work on Tuesday and continue to provide outstanding service in furtherance of the mission of the university and students’ experience. The agreement is consistent with our mutual goal of providing attractive wages in line with the market and making our campus a desirable place to work. We look forward to continuing our partnerships with SEIU Local 73 and other union-represented employees to make our campus an excellent place to live, study, and work.”

Robin Kaler

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.