A federal mediator will begin overseeing negotiations Tuesday between the University of Illinois and the union representing 700 dining and building service workers at the Urbana campus. In a vote held Saturday, about 90% of union members voted to authorize a strike, according to a spokesperson for the SEIU Local 73 chapter at the U of I. The authorization allows the negotiating team to issue a strike notice if they feel it’s warranted.

Building and food service workers at the University of Illinois’ Urbana campus have ratified a new three-year contract, retroactive to last summer.

A memo obtained by Illinois Public Media from the U of I's Associated Provost for Human Resources indicates that some jobs on the Urbana campus, including some in Civil Service, could be cut, effective at the start of the fall semester.  The president of AFSCME Local 3700 questions why she wasn't informed of these plans. She says union members are 'scared.'

Union leaders are dealing with concerns from some members that some self-insured health plan payments for state employees have been halted as a result of the state budget impasse.  Four providers are asking members to upfront at the time of an appointment, and will be reimbursed later.