Frequently Asked Questions
The following FAQs will be periodically updated as negotiations continue.
About The Union And Negotiations
- Who is part of the SEIU Local 73 bargaining unit?
- When did negotiations begin?
- What is the current status of negotiations?
About Mediation
About Strike Authorization
About GTA Compensation
- What is included in a GTA's total compensation?
- How does ISU define “peer institutions”?
- How does a GTA’s total compensation impact their cost to obtain a degree?
Who is part of the SEIU Local 73 bargaining unit?
SEIU Local 73 represents graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) at Illinois State University. During the Fall 2023 semester, ISU employed approximately 450 GTAs. For more information about GTAs, see the “What Is A GTA?” tab.
Last Updated 1/9/24
When did negotiations begin?
ISU and SEIU Local 73 mutually agreed to start negotiations on March 13, 2023.
Last Updated 3/22/23
What is the current status of negotiations?
On March 1, 2024, members of Service Employees International Union Local 73, the Union that represents the Graduate Teaching Assistants at Illinois State, ratified the University’s February 21, 2024, offer. This ratification draws negotiations to a close. The resulting contract agreement is effective March 1, 2024, with some stipend increases retroactive prior to this date, and expires in June 2026.
Last Updated 3/1/24
Why was a federal mediator brought in?
The University and the union have engaged an impartial federal mediator to assist the parties in reaching a contract agreement, and the first mediation session was held on July 27, 2023.
To be clear, when we entered mediation, the parties were not at impasse and many issues remained unresolved. While it is unusual to engage in mediation when the parties are not at impasse and many unresolved issues remain, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) has the statutory authority to, within 45 days of the start of the school year, direct mediation to help the parties conclude negotiations in a timely and productive manner. The parties elected to jointly request the use of mediation services from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), rather than utilize a mediator from the IELRB.
Last Updated 10/30/23
I heard the Union took a strike authorization vote. What does that mean?
A strike authorization vote is a procedural step that gives the union the authority to call a strike if the parties are unable to come to agreement. It is our understanding that a strike authorization vote did occur. On March 1, 2024, members of Service Employees International Union Local 73, the Union that represents the Graduate Teaching Assistants at Illinois State, ratified the University’s February 21, 2024, offer. We are pleased to provide this good news and are happy that, after almost a year of negotiations, we were able to reach an agreement that is competitive, sustainable, and fiscally responsible without disruption to our campus community.
Last updated 3/1/24
What is included in a GTA's total compensation?
In addition to a full-tuition waiver, a partial waiver of mandatory student fees, and reimbursement of student health care coverage fees, all ISU GTAs receive a stipend based on both the student's graduate degree level (masters or doctoral) and the full-time equivalency (FTE) of their assistantship appointment (0.25 FTE = 10 hours per week and 0.50 FTE = 20 hours per week). 99% of ISU’s GTAs are employed 20 hours or less per week (0.50 FTE or less). ISU establishes a minimum monthly stipend; however, University departments have the discretion to offer a higher stipend.
For additional information about the current GTA total compensation package, see What is a GTA?
Last updated 3/1/24
How does ISU define "peer institutions"?
Illinois State University uses the Carnegie classification system, sector (e.g., Public, 4-year or above), and geographic region (e.g., U.S. Census Bureau regions) to determine a set of institutions that may be used for salary comparisons of most academic positions and many non-academic positions. ISU is classified under the Carnegie classification system as an R2 research university and is located in the Midwest US Central Bureau Region. As of September 29, 2023, the Carnegie Classification system reports there are 24 public, four-year universities classified as R2 research universities located in the states in the Midwest US Central Bureau region.
Last Updated 10/12/23
How does a GTA’s total compensation impact their cost to obtain a degree?
The decision to attend graduate school (or enroll in college) is a choice and an important step to earning the credentials necessary to pursue future full-time employment. That choice comes with costs – including tuition, fees, books and associated living expenses (collectively, their cost of attendance). Graduate students often rely on a combination of student loans, savings, family support, and wages from employment to cover their cost of attendance.
A graduate teaching assistantship is not a profession or otherwise intended to be the equivalent of a full-time job but, rather, it is a way to reduce the student’s cost of attendance while providing them with valuable opportunities to develop skills and experience that make them more attractive job candidates to future full-time employers once they have obtained their degree.
A graduate student’s choice to apply for and accept a part-time GTA position means they have the opportunity to earn their Masters or Doctoral degree tuition-free, which represents a significant reduction in the amount of loans or other financial support they may need to fund their education. In addition, they receive a stipend, a partial fee waiver, and healthcare insurance reimbursement.
While GTAs still must contribute to the cost of the education they receive at ISU, their out-of-pocket costs are significantly less.
Last Updated 3/1/24