Illinois State University and AFSCME local 1100 plan to meet Wednesday, April 15; in a mediation session that workers hope reach an agreement or compromise between the union staff and the university.
TV-10’s Erica Sirois spoke to workers picketing and ISU students protesting on the quad.
Bertha said, “it’s not easy to stay out here for awhile, sometimes 8 to 1 … we have no bathroom, we have nothing on this ground.”
Workers on strike rely on supporting students to give them food and use non-university establishments for the bathrooms.
Aracile said,”… a lot of students … they come and ask us ‘it’s not the same, we notice when you’re not there.”
Cars driving by groups picketing around campus repeatedly honk and cheer in support while passing by.
“We try to keep everything clean for the students because thats the way they’re supposed to be. They pay us; they don’t pay enough. Thats why we fight.”
Increasing prices in many modern essentials like produce from grocery stores and gas costs can make it harder for full time workers to standardly survive solely off of paychecks from the university.
“I hope he sign the contract … everything is expensive … everything is. Its not enough”