SEIU Building Service & Food Service Workers at UIUC

02/27/2025

By now, you all know that Health Alliance is ending as an insurance option at the end of this calendar year. This closure was unexpected, and the impact is infuriating. We will be discussing this at the next membership meeting Sun. March 16. For now, we are gathering information.

As you know, AFSCME negotiates health insurance for all state employees in Illinois, we do not. But these negotiations set the parameters only: what the employer will pay versus employee, what is covered for how much, etc. Health Alliance is a private company owned by Carle. AFSCME does not have a contract with them, nor does SEIU. None of us can force them to stay open.

But the State does have obligations to provide health insurance to employees and to follow certain rules and guidelines. That has not changed. We will just all have to change health insurance companies. Most of us do not want to change doctors and nurses, but for now we are gathering information. Please come to the meeting March 16.

CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — In about ten months… Health Alliance operations will end for thousands of people in the state… And hundreds will be out of jobs. The company is the largest insurer i…

01/06/2025

Members, check your email for updates, meeting dates, labor-management meeting reports, etc.

Not getting emails or texts? Tell your steward or call 217-328-7509 with your name, cell phone number, email address -- we'll get it updated!

12/13/2024

Next membership meeting: Sat. Dec. 14 at 6pm. Same place. Nominations for officers. Drinks after.

Spring 2025 meetings begin Jan. 19 (Sun) 1pm. [Elections]
Continue: Feb. 22 (Sat.) 1pm.
Come to one of these meetings and pick up a schedule of upcoming meetings, a phone list of officers & stewards, a new contract, ... and ask questions, get updates, and more!

12/04/2024

Winter gift days are also coming up!

If you have questions, contact your steward right away! The Union has negotiated over these gift days, and the policy is enforceable. Take advantage of this opportunity!

12/04/2024

All raises and bonuses should be in effect now. If not, please contact your Union steward immediately. We are also now hearing about some problems in the way Management is distributing overtime -- if you are experiencing problems with overtime, let your steward know immediately!

This was in effect the best contract SEIU workers have ever won at UIUC -- won by striking for 8 days in the rain, lightning, hot sun, etc. at great personal sacrifice. In fact, the last two contracts have been the best ever won by SEIU workers at UIUC (because we fought for that!):

Over $5.25 per hour raises from 2022 to 2027, plus bonuses -- and food service workers eliminating the middle tier of wages to go directly to top pay after two years on the job (an increase of around $5/hr now for most classifications). Plus the end of the hated universal summer layoff (some will still be laid off in the summer, unfortunately, but this is a beginning -- and now we need to change the law so those who are laid off will be eligible for unemployment!)

Many other benefits in this contract, benefits of fighting! That's what a union is: workers fighting back!

09/28/2024

The University has chosen this chaos. SEIU strike continues this weekend and through Monday 9/30. Negotiations resume Monday morning, The UI can end this any time they want. They know what we need.

09/24/2024

Three steps to solidarity ---

1. Help generate letters to the Chancellor https://actionnetwork.org/letters/demand-fair-pay-for-building-and-food-service-workers-at-the-university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign-uiuc
2. Share the GoFundMe widely https://gofund.me/6c8c77d4
3. Help get supporters signed up to picket in solidarity https://forms.gle/4o66ssSPwjHj4NzB9

09/20/2024

09/17/2024

https://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/guest-commentary/our-turn-university-striking-out-with-essential-workers/article_8462f312-745d-11ef-b27a-3f6ae7d4c4a2.html

"The building service and housing workers risked their personal safety during the recent pandemic, cleaning dorms and classrooms to keep the campus safe. Yet despite this commitment, the university administration

09/17/2024

https://www.wcia.com/news/prepared-to-strike-uiuc-building-workers-vote-down-potential-contracts/

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The contract for building service workers at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was not approved. SEIU announced in a Friday afternoon release the more than 760 …

09/08/2024

If you haven't heard, Building service and Food Service Workers at UIUC voted last week to reject their employer's offer and the union has given notice of intent to strike. Food Service Workers could strike as early as Sept. 11, Building Service Workers as early as Sept. 15.
For updates see also SEIU Local 73's Facebook or web page.