‘Prepared to strike’: UIUC building workers vote down potential contracts

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The contract for building service workers at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was not approved.

SEIU announced in a Friday afternoon release the more than 760 Food Service and Building Service Workers voted against the latest contract proposal . The union and university have been negotiating for eight months.

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Melody Decker, the chapter president, said in a release management is unwilling to offer 30 more cents in raises over three years.

"We are severely short staffed and the wages UIUC is offering do not go far enough to recruit and retain workers," Dena Gary, a head cook and a member of the union's bargaining team, said.

The union can strike as soon later this month, but union officials said they hope to continue negotiations for an "equitable agreement".

"However, since we have already delivered the legally required strike notification, our members are prepared to strike at any time if necessary to secure a fair contract," Joseph Richert, SEIU Local 73's Secretary-Treasurer said.

A University of Illinois spokesperson provided the following statement.

"The university values our building and food service workers and their contributions to our mission," Robin Kaler, the Associate Chancellor for Strategic Communication and Marketing, said. "We reached a good-faith agreement with the SEIU Local 73 bargaining team on two separate occasions. The agreement is consistent with the market, and we are disappointed union members chose not to ratify it. We are preparing for a possible strike that could happen as early as September 22."