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Announcement :: Civil & Human Rights : Education : Labor : Protest Activity |
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Call for Solidarity: UI Clerical Workers to Picket Swanlund, Noon, Wed. Dec. 1 |
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by AFSCME Local 3700 via email
(No verified email address) |
30 Nov 2004
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Fed up with the UI adminstration's footdragging on negotiations for a new contract, AFSCME Local 3700, representing UI clerical workers, will picket the Swanlund Adminstration building at noon on Wednesday, December 1. They call for supporters to help picket and show solidarity. |
The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3700 announced today that they will conduct an informational picket on December 1, 2004 in front of the Swanlund Building at the University of Illinois. According to Dorinda Miller, President of AFSCME Local 3700, the Union is protesting the Universities attempt to eliminate the wage step program that has been in place for years. Miller said the step program is the backbone of our collective bargaining agreement and is what enables our 1800 plus members to sustain a decent standard of living.
Jerry Wright, Staff Representative with AFSCME Council 31 and the lead negotiator for the Union said “The University is not bargaining in good faith because they are refusing to return to the bargaining table for nearly a month.”
“We met for three hours on November 15 and the University said they would not be available to bargain again until December 13.” “In our opinion this is not an sincere effort to continue bargaining and reach a settlement.” Wright said.
According to Wright, the University’s lead negotiator is facing a serious illness and unable to return to the table on a regular basis. "We have asked the University to bring in as substitute, in fact they have a backup person at the bargaining table but they continue to refuse to allow that person to take over these negotiations.” Wright said,” The Union will file an unfair labor practice charge against the University later this week for failing to bargain in good faith.”
The informational picket will be held in front of the Swanlund building at the corner of Sixth and John streets. The picket will begin shortly after noon and conclude at 12:45.
Dorinda Miller said “We expect large and very vocal group of clericals from all over the campus as well members from many other local unions on campus and from the community.” |
