CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – The strike of Building and Food Service employees, which began on Monday, continues today with picketers throughout campus and a large gathering on the quad. SEIU Local 73 represents 763 Food Service and Building Service Workers, and they have been in contract negotiations for seven months. The employees want to see higher wages and more respect so they can return to work. One picketing employee, Karissa Green, said it’s “We’ve got families. Insurance is going up. Parking is going up. There are a lot of increases in other areas, and we deserve a fair wage.”
Members of Local 73 SEIU continue their strike while they fight for “fair wages and respect.”
Last week, negotiations between Building and Food Service employees and the university failed. Now, mediations continue between the U of I and SEIU Local 73. This failed negotiation not only impacts the 763 members of the union, but students are impacted, as they are standing in long lines for food at the dining halls that are open. Convenience stores remain open, but those aren’t serving made-to-order hot food like normal.

Green reiterated it wasn’t about just the money – it’s about how they are treated as well. “You want me to come here, and perform my best, but then you have supervisors that don’t treat you right. Then you have to deal with upper management. It’s hard when you come to work and give it your all and you don’t get respect back. It’s about the pay, but the respect goes along with that.”

The university and SEIU Local 73 had a mediation session on Monday afternoon. Meetings are scheduled to continue on September 27, 30, and Oct. 1, 2, and 3.