SIU and Faculty Union Enter Into Marathon Negotiation Talks

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By Fanna Haile-Selassie
By Andy Shofstall

Story Created: Nov 7, 2011 at 8:11 PM CDT

Story Updated: Nov 9, 2011 at 1:40 PM CDT

CARBONDALE -- It's day five of the faculty strike at SIU, but there are signs a deal could be reached soon. As of 6 p.m Monday evening, bargaining teams for both sides have been in talks for 27 hours straight.

A look inside the faculty association's negotiating room, revealed sleeping bags, temporary toothbrushes, sugary snacks. A lot of signs of being cooped up in one place for a long time. While the administration's room was not viewed, it is most likely similar.

Both teams have been working since three yesterday afternoon to try and put an end to SIU's first ever strike. So far, each side says it's happy talks are still going on and haven't broken down, but the Faculty Association says picketers will remain on strike until a contract deal is reached.

"Now it's just a matter of getting a little more movement and the deal finalized. And getting the last major stumbling blocks between the two sides ironed out," says Dave Johnson, the Faculty Association's spokesperson.

But with no deal yet, that still meant several students had substitute teachers, others skipped class to help support the faculty union in a large rally Monday afternoon.

Shortly before six Monday evening, Chancellor Rita Cheng said the administration gave a new proposal to the Faculty Association that addressed their "must haves". Rita said the administration gave as much as they could to the union's requests. After 27 straight hours of negotiation, the administration's team has left the bargaining table and plan to resume talks at 9:30 Tueday morning, unless they get a call from the Faculty Association to return.

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