Illinois State University is committed to good faith negotiations with SEIU Local 73, the union that represents graduate teaching assistants (GTAs).
Graduate teaching assistants are ISU students, first and foremost. A graduate assistantship is a competitive, co-curricular training opportunity that helps graduate students become more fully prepared for their intended career. ISU offers graduate assistantships to provide financial support to students enrolled in master’s or doctoral degree programs in addition to any scholarships, grants, or loans received. Learn more about this student work experience.
During the February 17negotiation session with SEIU Local 73, ISU presented counterproposals that included significant movement on a variety of issues.
This was our 23rd negotiation session and the second session conducted with the support of independent mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Our next negotiation session with the mediator has been scheduled for March 3.
ISU has and will continue to work diligently to reach a fair and fiscally responsible contract agreement that addresses the concerns raised by the SEIU without disruption to the teaching and learning environment.
In a letter to the campus community on January 28, President Dietz unequivocally affirmed ISU's respect for the important contributions of our graduate teaching assistants, as well as our commitment to the mediation process and to ongoing good-faith negotiations with SEIU Local 73. ISU has and will continue to work diligently to reach a fair and fiscally responsible contract agreement that addresses concerns raised by the SEIU without disruption to the teaching and learning environment at ISU.