U of I, grad instructors agree on contract

URBANA -- The University of Illinois and its graduate instructors have reached a tentative agreement that may end a day-old strike at the Urbana-Champaign campus.

The university says the agreement came during negotiations Tuesday.

The strike began Monday after weekend contract negotiations broke down over the issue of whether teaching assistants would be allowed to attend the university for free.

The university says the new three-year agreement resolves that issue by pledging that tuition waivers won't be reduced as long as graduate instructors meet certain conditions.

Union spokesman Peter Campbell says while picketing on campus has ended, the strike will continue until an unofficial vote on the new agreement is taken Tuesday evening.