35 non-tenure track faculty members at University of Illinois Springfield took an early step Thursday toward unionization. They’ve filed cards with Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board.
Jennifer Whalen, an English instructor and member of the union’s organizing committee, was thrilled to see this effort take shape: “The community we’ve built this semester is so inspiring,” organizer Jennifer Whalen, a UIS English instructor, said in a statement. “Non-tenure-track faculty across the UIS campus agree that by forming a union we can better advocate for each other and our many students. A strong contract with longer appointment terms ensures students are supported by experienced instructors through multiple stages of their academic journey.”
University Professionals of Illinois is affiliated with the Illinois Federation of Teachers.