As a frigid wind chill factor of 36 degrees settled over Eastern’s campus, more than 60 members of Eastern’s faculty and staff gathered on the north end of the Booth Library to have their voices heard by the administration and the visiting federal mediator.

The University Professionals of Illinois members held signs stating, “EIU – where an Educator Is Undervalued,” high in gloved hands. This demonstration by the UPI/EIU members was planned to coincide with the first session with the federal mediator and both negotiating teams.

English professor John Allison, the UPI/EIU chapter president, said the focus of the rally was to gain the attention of the administration.

“We want to show support to our team, but also demonstrate to the administration that we are firm in our resolve about obtaining language in our contract that is fair,” he said. “The series of ‘no’s’ aren’t really going to get us an agreement.”

At 4:30 p.m., English professor Fern Kory, the chair of the UPI/EIU’s contract campaign committee, handed out buttons to members in preparation for the demonstration.

Kory, who has been an Eastern faculty member for 20 years, said she loves the university, but not during negotiations.

“We are not EIU (during negotiations),” Kory said. “The administration has an agenda and they don’t want to even talk about how we can solve this problem together.”

There are experts in every field that could help propagate a solution, Kory said. However, the administration is proposing furlough days and will notify faculty and staff when they solve the problem, she added.

Although negotiations have been ongoing since early June, both teams came to an impasse on Oct. 20 and agreed to bring in a federal mediator to continue. The previous UPI/EIU contract expired Aug. 31 and the negotiating teams have been butting heads since.

Alongside furlough concerns, sticking points of the negotiation process have been credit unit guidelines, use of the tuition recovery model and unfair compensation for Academic Support Professionals.

Kory said that one of the disappointing aspects of the negotiating process has been the lack of President William Perry’s presence.

“Unlike Blair Lord, President Perry is a teacher,” she said. “The people who teach are the people I’m willing to talk to. I would have thought that (Perry) would understand this.”

Andrew McNitt, political science professor and UPI/EIU member of 35 years, said his main concern during the negotiating process is furlough implementation.

“The number of furlough days the administration (is proposing) is unreasonable and will not be accepted,” he said. If furloughs were to be implemented, the 690-members of the UPI/EIU would be affected.

By 5:00 p.m., blustery winds had increased to 20 mph and temperatures dropped to the low 40’s. However, Allison was determined to rally the crowd.

“We’re a university, not a corporation,” Allison told the crowd, his voice amplified by a megaphone.

In his speech, Allison brought up the UPI/EIU’s concerns with the crowd shouting; “Yes we do,” in agreement of his points.

Members of the UPI/EIU’s negotiating team, including chemistry professor and chief negotiator Jonathan Blitz, entered Booth Library at 5:30 p.m. to begin negotiations.

With a roaring cheer from the crowd, Allison said, “The team is going to negotiate!”

Mathematics professor Charles Delman, the former UPI/EIU chapter president, addressed the crowd from the steps. Delman pointed out that in 1970, there was a six-to-one ratio of faculty to administration. However, that figure changed to three-to-one in 2006.

“I guess that’s why (the administration) needs managerial rights,” Delman said.

With signs in hands and drums punctuating each step, the UPI/EIU members marched around the library quad, receiving unknowing looks from passerby students.

When approached, several students admitted to not knowing what was occurring. Confused expressions persisted when students read picketing signs stating furlough concerns. Despite furloughs becoming a common concern on campus, students were still out in the cold about what they could mean to their education if implemented.

“If they don’t know, they’re going to find out,” McNitt said.

History professor Jon Coit came to the demonstration to support the UPI/EIU bargaining team.

“The union has made reasonable demands that don’t have anything to do with increasing costs, but instead of directing their efforts to make ensure there are standards in place to ensure the quality of education,” Coit said.

By 6:00 p.m., faculty and staff had retreated to find solace from the cold. Collecting the remainder of the picket signs, Allison said he was very pleased with the turnout for the demonstration despite the weather.

“I was glad to see that people were enthusiastic and that all the signs that were made in preparation were held by members,” Allison said. “People seemed to enjoy the solidarity of coming together to support each other and our bargaining team. This is visible evidence that we are united, and that’s really what we wanted to show.”

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

Cassie Short, a junior Pink Panthers Dance Team member, performs during halftime of the men’s basketball game Saturday night. (Audrey Sawyer

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