A federal mediator from Federal Mediation and Consolidation Services has contacted the negotiation teams for both the administration and Eastern chapter of the University Professionals of Illinois as of Oct. 20.

Both negotiating teams are hoping for a meeting in early November.

The negotiating teams for the administration and UPI/EIU are at an impasse and requiring a federal mediator to continue negotiations as of Oct. 5.

Robert Wayland, chief negotiator for the university administration, said the mediator is a federal employee, so there is no cost to the university for his services.

A federal mediator is required when both parties cannot come to an agreement and will facilitate future negotiations, Wayland said.

The previous Eastern chapter of the University Professionals of Illinois contract expired Aug. 31. Negotiations began in early June with the administration and the UPI meeting at least 10 times since then.

Furlough concerns are a key reason why negotiations have come to a halt.

Jonathan Blitz, UPI/EIU chapter vice president and chief negotiator and professor of chemistry, told The Daily Eastern News on Oct. 14 that if furlough concerns are not resolved, a strike may be considered.

Wayland understands this is a decision that UPI has the right to make.

“I hope we don’t get to that point and that the mediator can facilitate a solution,” Wayland said.

Earlier in the year, the board of trustees approved an internal governing policy that allows furloughs in dire financial conditions. However, these furloughs cannot be implemented until language covering them is included in the contracts.

The current proposed furlough policy allows up to 24 furlough days in any 12-month period, according to the university’s Internal Governing Policy 189.

During furloughs, employees are not allowed to work, according to IGP 189. This includes class preparation, conducting office hours and performing necessary research.

Currently, furloughs are not being considered, Wayland said.

“Furloughs will only be explored in dire situations,” he said.

The UPI is concerned that there is not language in the contract that specifically describes when and how furloughs will be implemented, Blitz said.

Furloughs are raising a dire fiscal concern for faculty and staff.

A 24-day furlough would result in a 9 to 11 percent pay cut, based on the fiscal year 2010 average salary for a full-time professor with a 9-month contract, as reported by university planning and institutional studies.

“It’s a generous pay cut, that’s the way we see it,” Blitz said.

However, Wayland said the UPI should recognize that whereas other universities have received salary cuts, university employees received a 3.5 percent across-the-board salary increase for fiscal year 2010.

“(The UPI) should look at what is being offered considering the economy and the financial constraints facing the university and state,” Wayland said.

Much concern has been raised for how furloughs will affect students, such as credit evaluation, graduation and student/professor research projects.

In order for furloughs to have a minimal effect on students, Wayland said they would occur during times when students are not in class, such as holiday breaks.

“(Furloughs) will not affect anything as afar as students are concerned,” Wayland said. “Any furlough is not intended to disrupt students or classes in anyway.”

However, Blitz does not believe this is a solution.

“Why would we want to take furloughs on holiday breaks,” Blitz asked. “It would be taking away from our vacation time.”

Wayland said credit evaluation and graduation requirements will not be disturbed by furloughs.

The furlough policy applies to all employees regardless of funding source and apply to all university faculty including the president and vice presidents, according to IGP 189.

“It wouldn’t be picking and choosing,” Wayland said. “(Furloughs) would be made consistently throughout the university.”

President Perry has the final decision for if and when a furlough would be initiated, according to IGP 189.

“The effect of a furlough is less harmful than the alternative, such as cutting costs by laying people off,” Wayland said.

Although students may not be affected by furloughs if they occur during holiday breaks, members of the faculty are concerned that will cut into this time when research is conducted.

John Allison, UPI/EIU chapter president told The DEN on Oct. 14, “If people are placed on lengthy furloughs and still expected to do the same work, it seems unfeasible to (the UPI).”

Wayland does not agree.

“I don’t suspect that if you lose one day it will disrupt (a professor’s) whole research project,” Wayland said.

Furloughs are not a new concern for state universities. During last spring, University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana issued four furlough days throughout the semester, Wayland said.

With only four furlough days being needed, Blitz said, “Good for them – but the fact is that the administration can still implement a 24-day furlough.”

Wayland said the administration stands firm on the furlough language in the contract because other university unions have accepted its terms.

Last year, Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees approved their contract, which states that if furloughs are needed in dire financial circumstances, the decision will be discussed.

Blitz said this approach may be something that the UPI could consider.

“That would be a step in the right direction,” he said.

Time Line

Early June – Negotiations begin

June – Early October – Both sides meet approx. 10 times without agreement

Aug. 31 – Previous UPI/EIU contract expires

Oct. 5 – Last negotiating session before both sides agree to bring in a federal mediator

Oct. 20 – Federal mediator contacts both negotiating sides

Early November – Expected meeting with federal mediator

Shelley Holmgren can be reached at 581-7942 or meholmgren@eiu.edu