Students at Eastern Illinois University may get a first-hand lesson in labor relations this week.
EIU faculty say they will stage a “teach-out” Thursday, standing outside on the campus with signs available for observers to show support, while simultaneously providing “lessons” to students and supporters. The faculty are in ongoing contract negotiations with the university, with pay being a big sticking point. The EIU chapter of University Professionals of Illinois says the university wants to increase faculty workload by 17-percent, while offering a pay raise of only one-percent.
The union says the school also needs to improve the ratio of faculty to students… saying many students must wait weeks to get an appointment with an academic counselor.
[This story has been modified to reflect that while the union plans a demonstration, it does not intend to stage an actual picket line.]
