As of 8 AM Friday, class is back in session at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. A week-long strike by the union representing faculty and support staff is on hold, while members consider the administration’s contract proposal. A ratification vote is expected sometime next week, although a date has not been set.
Negotiations continue Friday between Eastern Illinois University and its faculty union. But the bargaining session will take place off campus — because the union began its strike on Thursday, and doesn’t want its members to have to cross picket lines for the meeting.
Federally mediated contract talks between Eastern Illinois University and its faculty and support staff union are scheduled to resume Monday, April 3. When they resume, officials with the EIU-University Professionals of Illinois chapter (Illinois Federation of Teachers Local 4100) hope the administration will feel more pressure to reach a settlement, following last week’s approval of a strike authorization vote.