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News :: Labor |
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UIUC Clerical Workers march loud and proud |
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by Paul Kotheimer
Email: herringb (nospam) prairienet.org (unverified!) |
21 Oct 2004
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Members of AFSCME local 3700, with solidarity from several other campus unions, marched loud and proud on the UIUC main quad this afternoon. Meanwhile, another round of negotitations took place between AFSCME and the University. |
The University of Illinois claims it is bargaining in good faith with AFSCME 3700, the union local representing clerical workers on campus. Negotiators for the union, as well as rank and file members, don't see it that way.
The language of step increases, cut-backs, and give-backs can be a little confusing at times, but the long and the short of it, from the perspective of the hundred or so marchers who came out today was simple: The U of I is making an unreasonable proposal, one which will amount to a raw deal for clerical workers, and which--worst of all--would set a precedent leading to a similar raw deal contract for every union on campus.
So union members took it to the pavement with picket signs and chants. The gathering and demonstration was scheduled to coincide with a round of negotiations between the union and UIUC representatives.
The reception from students on the quad this afternoon was one of goodwill mixed with some puzzlement--After all, if there's going to be a picket on the quad, it's almost always college-age people, not folks their parents' age. The visibility, and audibility, of the group of demonstrators seemed to raise awareness immediately, and the message, according to many was clear: Signs read "NO STEPS, NO CONTRACT! NO CONTRACT, NO PEACE!" and marchers chanted, "The U of I works because who do? WE DO!"
Demonstrators from AFSCME 3700 were joined in solidarity today by members of AFSCME local 698, SEIU locals, the Graduate Employee Organization, as well as academic professionals and a number of active and retired faculty members.
Just minutes after the adjournment of the day's negotiations, a representative from AFSCME's regional council addressed the crowd of demonstrators. His projection was for a long haul: Negotiations could stretch on through the end of the year. The advice from the union's negotiator, and from Dorinda Miller, President of AFSCME Local 3700, was concise: Strength in numbers. In order to show the UIUC that the union won't back down, union members from all over campus need to attend upcoming noontime rallies.
The University of Illinois is the largest employer in Champaign-Urbana, and AFSCME 3700 is the largest AFSCME local in Illinois. For this reason, AFSCME representatives speculate, any contract AFSCME 3700 signs with the University will have repercussions which would affect both union and fair-share workers throughout the region. |
This work is in the public domain. |
