From Anne Balay, HELU Media & Communications Team Lead
On January 17 and 18, 2023, I walked with striking workers on the picket line at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). These tenure-track and full-time non-tenure-track faculty workers are members of UIC United Faculty (UIC-UF).
Each day, workers walked picket lines from 10am to noon, when they rallied, and then returned to picketing again at 1pm. There was incredible energy, lots of chants, and even a jazz band. Scabby got attention from passing cars. The rallies featured speakers from the AFT, students, and local politics.
It was a beautiful example of community and worker solidarity.
On Jan 22rd, UIC-UF announced that it had reached a TA in their contract fight. Among other needs, workers demanded and won:
- Increases to minimum salaries for the lowest paid faculty
- 20% raise pools over the course of the 4-year contract
- Stronger job protections for non-tenure track faculty
- Expanded non-discrimination & anti-harassment policies
- Increased professional development funds
- Non-contractual, public commitments on expanding resources for student wellness and establishing psychoeducational testing
HELU was there and should be proud of what this unit accomplished.