2008 Woodie Awards
Contract talks continue
Clerical worker union rejects offer, second picket possible
Allan Lewis
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: News
Negotiations stalled once again Tuesday as members of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2887, a union of SIUE Clerical and Kindred Workers, work toward a new deal.
The union has been working without a contract since May, and both sides met for three hours Tuesday without reaching a deal.
"We had a very good two-way conversation in the meeting," Union President Cindy Korte said. "We are looking forward to meeting again on Thursday."
A 50 cent minimum increase in hourly wages is desired by the union, which is holding off any lower offers.
"We received an offer, but it still wasn't what we were hoping for," union member Gay Cummins said. "Hopefully Thursday we will have more answers."
SIUE Director of Public Affairs Greg Conroy declined to comment on the situation, citing the University policy prohibiting him from speaking during an ongoing contract discussion.
"We presented everything again and an offer was made, but we are still holding out," Cummins said.
The lowest paid member of the clerical staff at SIUE makes $9.56 an hour, while the minimum starting salary for a secretary at the University of Illinois is $10.51 an hour.
"If we do not settle the situation (today), we will be doing another informational picket on Monday," Cummins said.
This is the second time in 10 years SIUE clerical workers have been unhappy about a contract. In 1998, workers demonstrated for a 2 percent equity raise the administration and staff received.
"We are supposed to go back (today)," union member Connie Wayman said. "We are looking forward to our meeting."
The union has been working without a contract since May, and both sides met for three hours Tuesday without reaching a deal.
"We had a very good two-way conversation in the meeting," Union President Cindy Korte said. "We are looking forward to meeting again on Thursday."
A 50 cent minimum increase in hourly wages is desired by the union, which is holding off any lower offers.
"We received an offer, but it still wasn't what we were hoping for," union member Gay Cummins said. "Hopefully Thursday we will have more answers."
SIUE Director of Public Affairs Greg Conroy declined to comment on the situation, citing the University policy prohibiting him from speaking during an ongoing contract discussion.
"We presented everything again and an offer was made, but we are still holding out," Cummins said.
The lowest paid member of the clerical staff at SIUE makes $9.56 an hour, while the minimum starting salary for a secretary at the University of Illinois is $10.51 an hour.
"If we do not settle the situation (today), we will be doing another informational picket on Monday," Cummins said.
This is the second time in 10 years SIUE clerical workers have been unhappy about a contract. In 1998, workers demonstrated for a 2 percent equity raise the administration and staff received.
"We are supposed to go back (today)," union member Connie Wayman said. "We are looking forward to our meeting."
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