Union at SIUC approves strike authorization

Associated Press

CARBONDALE — One union at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale has approved a strike authorization, and three more are slated to vote on similar questions.

On Tuesday, 80 percent of those voting approved the strike authorization for the Association of Civil Service Employees. The union members have been working without a contract since June of 2010.

WSIU Radio reports that union leaders say they still hope they can reach a contract agreement with SIU’s administration soon.

SIU President Glenn Poshard says he understands the unions’ frustration. But Poshard says bargainers need to understand the financial constraints the administration has to work with.

Three other Illinois Education Association-affiliated unions, representing faculty and graduate students, will decide on strike authorizations in the coming week at SIUC.

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