Deal reached with U of Illinois-Chicago; strike continues

CHICAGO (AP) - A union representing graduate student employees at the University of Illinois at Chicago says they're staying on strike despite reaching a tentative contract agreement with the school.

The union announced Thursday night that the 3-year agreement will help ensure more financial stability for graduate workers. It says, however, the administration's bargaining team didn't have the authority negotiate on issues such as how graduate workers can make up lost pay for their time on strike .

The university confirmed to the Chicago Sun-Times that an agreement was reached but declined further comment.

The Chicago Tribune reports at least 550 classes taught by assistants were canceled from March 19 to March 22, early in the walkout by members of the Graduate Employees Organization.

The GEO represents more than 1,500 graduate and teaching assistants.