Little progress has been made since Eastern’s chapter of University Professionals of Illinois and the administration met with the federal mediator Nov. 4.

Because negotiations had come to a standstill, both sides agreed to bring in the federal mediator on Oct. 20.

Bob Wayland, chief negotiator for the administration, said not much has changed as a result of the mediation session. However, it made a small difference.

“For the discussion of the issues that are unresolved, we got some clarification, but neither party has changed their position,” Wayland said.

Jon Blitz, chief negotiator for the UPI/EIU agreed.

“I think we didn’t make tremendous progress, but he helped us reach clarity on one of the issues that people are most interested, which is the furlough issue,” Blitz said. “There was some misunderstanding on the administration side, and probably on our side too.”

Blitz said there have been two options proposed in order to resolve the furloughs concerns.

The first being that both sides would bargain over the impact of furlough language should the university declare exigency.

“If the university is broke and can prove it, we would at that point bargain over the impact, for example, how many days, who gets furloughed, in what order, and what time will they be implemented,” Blitz said.

Blitz said it does not mean faculty and staff would get 24 furlough days. Instead, the proposal would be to bargain over it should it come to pass.

The second option is to have no furlough language in the contract, but that would go along with no raises for the two-year contract. In the first proposal, there would be a 2.75 percent raise in two years.

Blitz said if the UPI/EIU and the administration agree not to include furlough language in the contract, faculty and staff would give up that 2.75 percent raise, Blitz said.

“I think people should recognize that 2.75 percent over the two years is not just for those two years, it goes on everyone’s base salary,” Blitz said. “If any future raise over across-the-board increase is negotiated on a percent basis, it’s on a higher percentage basis because of the 2.75 raise.”

As for which option works best, Blitz said he is still in the process of consulting with other UPI members.

“There are people who want to do one, and people who will do the other,”

Blitz said. “As the leaders of the union, its our task to figure out to make sure everyone understands what these issues and implications mean for either one and find out what the clear majority wants.”

Wayland said one of the proposals being made from the administration is an economic wage package.

Although Wayland could not give specific details in the package, it requires the agreement of furlough language in the contract.

As for the future role of the mediator, Blitz said he believes it is ultimately up to both negotiating teams to make progress.

“(The mediator) will do what he can for us, but he can’t do something for us if we can’t do it ourselves,” Blitz said.

Blitz said he believed the faculty demonstration on the north end of Booth Library on Nov. 4 made a difference, however, it may not be apparent immediately.

“It probably didn’t make a difference on Thursday, but if we are able to keep the membership together and show solidarity, I think that does make difference,” Blitz said.

There has been concern raised by the UPI/EIU members over whether or not issues will be resolved by the end of the semester. Although both sides are hopeful for a fast resolution, they agree one before the end of the semester is not likely.

“I just don’t know – unless either party is willing to change their position, I don’t see any progress,” Wayland said. “I’m hopeful – there has to be some sort of compromise in order for us to move on. I can’t see that its going to happen because were pretty close to the end of the semester.”

Blitz agreed.

“I have hopes that we’ll make progress, but time will only tell,” he said.

The UPI/EIU and the administration will meet with the federal mediator next on Nov. 29.

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