Despite an unfair labor practice filed by the Eastern chapter of the University Professionals of Illinois against the administration, faculty contract negotiations are progressing with optimism from each party.

The two sides met for three hours Wednesday to continue negotiations.

“We made slow, but significant progress in some important areas,” said John Allison, UPI chief negotiator.

“We discussed some language that both sides have some interest in,” said Bob Wayland, chief negotiator for the administration. “I felt it was very productive.”

The two parties agreed to continue meeting at the bargaining table to work out some issues. Both chief negotiators said they are trying to iron out small discrepancies on their own so that once the federally contracted mediator returns on Oct. 11 for a third meeting, the negotiations can focus on larger issues.

“We’re meeting with an aim of clearing the table so there won’t be much more to focus on except the most serious issues” when the mediator returns, Allison said, noting the serious issues to be compensation and working conditions.

“I want people to realize we still have a ways to go,” he said. “The areas most directly related to our chapter members’ livelihoods and working conditions are still before us.”

Both parties agreed to bring new written language to Monday’s meeting.

“We’re open to meeting as much as we can if we’re making any progress,” Wayland said. “I felt our meeting yesterday was productive, I’m anticipating Monday’s meeting to be productive.”

UPI filed the unfair labor practice charge Sept. 14 with the Illinois Education Labor Relations Board alleging that the administration was negotiating with unfair labor practices.

Bob Wayland, chief negotiator for the administration said the university received the charge from the labor board Thursday.

“I know we have been bargaining in good faith, still are and we always will be,” Wayland said of the charge. “It’s unfounded.”

The administration expects to receive more specific details concerning the unfair labor practice from the labor board within seven days. Once they receive those details, the administration will have two weeks to respond to the board. After their response, UPI will have another two weeks to make a counter-response.