Facing stalled negotiations, striking Illinois State University workers rally

Nine days into their strike for fair pay, Illinois State University workers are being stonewalled by university administrators, who have rejected a fresh compromise put forth by the workers’ union, AFSCME Local 1110.

In response, the ISU workers who keep the campus running held a march and rally outside the university president’s office Thursday to draw attention to their struggle.

Rally speakers included AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch and Deputy Director Mike Newman.

More than 300 AFSCME Local 1110 members clean campus buildings, maintain the grounds, serve food and play other critical roles at ISU in Central Illinois. They are demanding fair pay and respect after nearly two years without a raise.

Many workers start at just $16.60 an hour; most make less than a living wage for a single adult. Yet instead of settling a fair contract, university leaders have refused retroactive pay for 2025. And they have gone so far as to try to strip out contract language that helps ensure union members get the same wage increases as other university employees.

“By refusing to respect our work, ISU administration forced us out on strike,” said Chuck Carver, an ISU building service worker and the president of Local 1110. “By refusing to negotiate, they’re prolonging the pain for us, for students and faculty and the whole Redbird community.”

Students, parents and faculty have made clear they know who keeps ISU running. More than 6,000 supporters, mostly ISU students and their parents, have signed an online petition supporting the workers.

“They do everything for us and get the least in return. It’s not fair,” said Martin, an ISU student.

Another student, Kylie, wrote, “I really appreciate the workers who clean the floors and fix any issues. They deserve to be paid enough to support themselves for all the great work they do.”

As the strike continues, frustration with university leadership is growing. Trash is piling up, food service has been reduced, and parents are speaking out about worsening campus conditions. Rather than bargain a fair deal, the administration brought in outside replacement workers.

ISU workers aren’t alone in their fight. Faculty members have joined them on the picket line and elected officials are calling on the university to negotiate now. That same coalition joined the strikers at Thursday’s march and rally.

The workers’ fight is bigger than one campus. It is about whether the people who do the essential work get the dignity, respect and fair pay they deserve.

ISU workers are holding the line. Their unity is the clearest sign of all that real power on this campus does not sit in the president’s office. It lives with the working people who keep ISU running every day. University leaders need to come back to the table and settle a fair contract.