Frequently Asked Questions
The following FAQs will be periodically updated as negotiations continue.
General FAQs
Who is part of the Local 1110 bargaining unit?
AFSCME Local 1110 represents approximately 360 employees at Illinois State University’s Normal, Illinois campus, primarily in janitorial, grounds, and dining positions.
Why are Illinois State University and AFSCME currently in negotiations?
The contract between Illinois State University and AFSCME Local 1110 expired on June 30, 2025, and the parties are negotiating wages and other terms and conditions of employment for a successor agreement. The contract is automatically extended during negotiations for the successor agreement.
This is a normal part of the labor-management relationship. Collective bargaining agreements are contracts entered into between management and unions, which delineate wages and other terms and conditions of employment for a specific period of time. When that time ends, it is normal for the parties to negotiate over the terms of a successor agreement.
When did negotiations begin?
The first negotiation session was held on April 3, 2025. To date, the parties have held 26 negotiation sessions.
What is the current status of negotiations?
To date, the parties have held 26 formal negotiations sessions. Of 44 proposals presented between the parties so far, they have reached 17 tentative agreements, and 9 proposals remain under discussion. Following the December 1, 2025, negotiation session, the parties jointly requested mediation through the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). The contract is automatically extended during negotiations for the successor agreement.
Are any additional meetings scheduled?
The parties have engaged an impartial federal mediator to assist in reaching a contract agreement. The first mediation session will be held on January 28, 2026, with an additional mediation session scheduled for January 29, 2026.
What led the parties to mutually request mediation?
When the parties mutually requested mediation on December 1, 2025, the parties had reached tentative agreements on 17 items and only economic proposals remained open. To be clear, the parties were not at impasse when they mutually agreed to request mediation. However, after 26 negotiation sessions, both parties felt the guidance of an independent, impartial mediator could help continue to move negotiations forward in a productive manner. The University remains committed to continued good faith negotiations to reach a contract agreement that reflects the needs of all Illinois State University stakeholders as promptly as reasonably possible.
Does moving to mediation mean a strike is more likely?
No. Illinois State University is committed to reaching a fair and fiscally responsible contract agreement that meets the needs of all stakeholders. The University is hopeful that an impartial mediator's broad knowledge and input as a neutral participant will help us reach a fair and fiscally responsible contract agreement that meets the needs of all stakeholders without disrupting students, faculty, staff or community members. The University remains committed to continued good faith negotiations, including scheduled sessions with a mediator on January 28 & 29, 2026.
Is Illinois State University initiating contingency planning to prepare for a strike?
While we are hopeful and working hard to reach a contract agreement without a strike, the University is committed to minimizing any disruption to students, faculty, staff, and community members throughout the negotiation process. Our contingency planning efforts include identifying alternate resources to perform duties normally performed by the AFSCME Local 1110 bargaining unit.