SEIU Planning a Strike Tomorrow, April 4

April 3, 2018

Loyola University Colleagues,

As you likely know, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 73 is planning a strike and actively promoting a campus-wide walkout on Wednesday, April 4. SEIU Local 73 represents 350 full- and part-time non-tenure-track (NTT) faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and 10 faculty in the English Language Learning Program (ELLP). It is anticipated that some non-union faculty may also cancel classes and that students (including some of Loyola’s graduate assistants with teaching duties) will “walk out,” as well.

It is highly disappointing that the SEIU would call a strike and disrupt our students’ education, particularly given the efforts Loyola has made to reach a fair and reasonable agreement. Loyola believes contract issues are best settled at the bargaining table, and we have been committed from the very beginning to transparent and collaborative negotiations.

 

I understand that opinions can be strong on all sides of this issue, but I want to remind our faculty that our first obligation is always to our students and their education. Whatever your views are on these matters and however you choose to express them, I urge you to remember our shared commitment to our students and hold class as usual tomorrow.

Things to Know About an SEIU Strike

I want to be very clear that Loyola does not want a strike, and we are eager to continue negotiations to reach an agreement. However, we are prepared and equipped to minimize disruption to students, continue as many classes as possible, and continue all campus operations and student services as usual during the SEIU strike. Our students’ intellectual and spiritual needs are our top priority.

• Faculty represented by SEIU Local 73 are NOT required to participate in the SEIU’s strike.
• Faculty who are not represented by SEIU are expected to teach classes, as usual. We hope that our faculty do not decide to walk out on our students.
• Non-union faculty and staff are expected to teach their courses, and administrative and support staff should perform their normal jobs.
• Out of consideration for our students, we respectfully ask that all unionized and non-unionized faculty update Sakai with a notification on whether or not you plan to teach your classes during the strike. Our students must come first.
• You should be aware that any striking faculty (whether in the bargaining unit or not) will not be paid by Loyola for missing work. Striking faculty who currently receive health care benefits through Loyola will continue to receive those benefits as usual. 
• Striking faculty will continue to have access to Loyola facilities, offices, and IT systems during the strike.
• The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and campus is paramount. Disruptive or threatening behavior by strikers or protestors will not be permitted and should be reported to Campus Security immediately
• All campus buildings and facilities will remain open. Food service and housekeeping at residence halls will continue as usual.

 

Things to Know About Loyola’s Negotiations with SEIU Local 73
Loyola has made substantive proposals that provide highly competitive compensation and benefits; enhanced job security; and greater clarity, consistency, and predictability for appointments for both our full-time and part-time NTT faculty. We value our NTT full-time and part-time faculty and their many contributions to the fabric of our University community. Our goal is a fair and reasonable contract that is consistent with our commitment to social justice and our Jesuit values. We have also sought a fiscally responsible agreement to ensure we can continue to offer a high-quality, affordable education to our students.

Loyola has made the following proposals:

• Significant pay increases for all SEIU-represented faculty, which would make Loyola CAS non-tenure-track faculty among the highest paid non-tenured faculty in Chicagoland;
• A very significant 33 percent- 35 percent increase to the standard per credit hour rate for part-time CAS instructors;
• Annual merit raises for SEIU-represented faculty, consistent with those earned by tenured and tenure-track faculty;
• Longer appointments for both full-time and part-time unionized faculty;
• A new classification of part-time faculty, known as “Adjunct Instructors,” which would come with a pay raise and a two-year appointment; and
• Creation of a professional development fund specifically for unionized faculty.

Here is an FAQ that shares additional information about the planned strike as well as Loyola’s negotiations with SEIU. I strongly encourage all faculty and staff to review this information. Loyola’s bargaining website will be updated when new information is available: LUC.edu/bargaining.

Thank you for all that you do to create a transformative educational experience for our students. I want to assure you that Loyola remains committed to bargaining in good faith and reaching a fair and reasonable agreement that is good for our faculty, our students, and the entire Loyola community.

Sincerely,

Margaret Faut Callahan, CRNA, PhD, FNAP, FAAN
Acting Provost
Provost, Health Sciences Campus