Status of Negotiations with AFSCME Local 1110

Fiscal Year 2026 Successor Contract Negotiations Status

These negotiations are regarding wages and other terms and conditions for a successor agreement to the contract between Illinois State University and AFSCME Local 1110 that expired on June 30, 2025. The contract is automatically extended during negotiations for the successor agreement.  

On Wednesday, April 8, at 6 a.m., AFSCME Local 1110 engaged in a strike. On Wednesday, April 15, Illinois State University and AFSCME Local 1110 met with a federal mediator for the fifth time. Unfortunately, the parties were unable to reach an agreement, and the union has indicated the strike will continue. 

The University community needs to know the University has implemented contingency plans and will continue to operate during the strike. The University is committed to continuing normal operations to the fullest extent possible.

The University believes that a strike is not in the best interest of employees or the University community. However, the University fully respects the rights of its employees represented by AFSCME Local 1110 to participate in such activities under the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act and other applicable laws. 

The University has worked diligently to ensure we offer AFSCME 1110-represented employees pay that is competitive with the pay for comparable roles in the local marketplace. Illinois State’s current offer to the Union does just that. 

The Union has stated that many employees in this unit earn just $16.00 per hour. This is inaccurate. None of the employees currently earn $16.00 per hour and fewer than 7% earn less than $17.00 per hour; all are in entry-level positions. Under the University's offer, after the wage increases at ratification and on July 1, 2026, all entry-level employees would earn $17.76 or more. After conducting an updated analysis on April 21, 2026, data indicates that with the University’s offer, as of July 1, 2026, all but two positions in the bargaining unit would be at or above the median pay offered by other employers in Bloomington-Normal for similar positions.

At ratification, wages in this bargaining unit would top $29.79 per hour, and the average hourly wage rate, by type of work, would be as follows: 

• Building Services positions would immediately average $22.78 per hour (192 employees).
• Grounds positions would immediately average $26.42 per hour (18 employees).
• Dining positions would immediately average $21.34 per hour (122 positions).
• Positions in other units (e.g., physical plant, storekeepers, mechanics, equipment service workers, athletics, laundry, and building maintenance) would immediately average $24.45 per hour (18 employees). 

Following the initial wage increase at ratification, each employee in the bargaining unit would also receive a guaranteed 3% increase in base pay on July 1 of this year (just 11 weeks from today) and then annually each July 1 through July 1, 2029. This means the employees would receive at least a 6.5% increase to base pay within the next 11 weeks, and, over the life of the contract, all employees in the unit would receive at least a 15.5% total increase (16.5% compounded) in their base wage rate. 

Under the University’s offer, employees in the unit would also receive a $600 lump-sum payment (less applicable deductions) upon ratification. And, of course, all employees in the unit would continue to receive the University’s very competitive benefits and time-off offerings. 

For additional information on the University’s current offer, please see the “What is in the University’s most recent offer” FAQ.

Our focus remains on reaching a resolution that supports our employees while minimizing disruption to our students’ academic experience. We remain committed to good-faith negotiations and to continuing to serve our students without interruption.