University of Illinois Springfield faculty union files 'demand to bargain' with administration

[TexasTowelie]

Cuts to operating budgets at the University of Illinois Springfield now include a suspension of a program that provides faculty members with a work computer.

Despite receiving a 5 percent increase over last year’s appropriation from the state, the union says that UIS administrators are cutting as much as 10 percent from their operating budgets. Things have gotten so severe that UIS United Faculty, the union that represents tenured and tenure-track faculty, issued a “demand to bargain” to UIS provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs Dennis Papini and the university’s human resources department over a week ago. It has yet to hear back, said union president Kristi Barnwell, an associate professor of history.

In a written statement, UIS spokesman Derek Schnapp said university administration has asked for departments to reduce their operating budgets and be mindful of their spending. The increase in appropriations from the state, he added, is being used for the UI System’s merit raise program.

Barnwell said a key concern is a university policy that guarantees faculty members a new computer every four years. Some faculty members are two years overdue promised computers and laptops.

Read more: https://www.sj-r.com/news/20190903/uis-faculty-union-files-demand-to-bargain-with-administration
(Springfield State Journal Register)