Unfair labor practice charges have been filed against NIU in connection with the possible strike involving more than 300 food service and building maintenance workers.

Eddie Williams, vice president for finance and planning, said the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) filed a formal intent to strike July 27.

The potential strike is not for more pay. Rather the issues involve contract language and conditions of employment, Williams said.

Robert Perkovich, Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board executive director, said AFSCME filed unfair labor practice charges against NIU because the university did not bargain with the union before implementing changes.

egulations state that employers have to bargain with the union before any changes can be made if a mandatory subject is at hand. Bargaining must be to the point of impasse, Perkovich said.

owever, the university either did not bargain to that point, or they implemented changes before impasse was reached, Perkovich said.

AFSCME representative Kay Argo said, “The university implemented changes in wages, hours and conditions during negotiations prior to reaching an impasse.”

NIU’s refusing to recognize the union as a bargaining medium is another charge, and the university refused to bargain over certain aspects related to civil service, Argo said.

Perkovich said he will conduct a field investigation of the unfair labor practice charges by ASFCME. At the completion of the investigation, Perkovich will decide if a complaint, which would provide for a hearing, should be issued.

A hearing does not imply NIU is violating any regulations, Perkovich said; it just means there is enough evidence against the university to have a hearing. The hearing will decide whether the charges are false or if action should be taken against NIU, he said.

If a hearing occurs and the university is found guilty, NIU will have to rectify the situation depending on the specific charges made, Perkovich said.

Williams said Local 963 AFSCME, a union of which all workers are members, filed strike forms. The university was surprised at this action because, Williams said, he believed negotiations were progressing well.

Diane Tilton, Building Service worker, said the intent to strike notice is a formality and there are other options workers would prefer to take. However, she did not comment on what those options entail.

Contract bargaining sessions have taken place since April before the union’s three-year contract with the university expired June 30, Williams said.

The union and the university had a negotiating session with a mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service July 21 and were scheduled for another mediation July 27 to discuss the issues further, Williams said. However, the second mediation was cancelled because the mediator was ill, he said. The next negotiations are scheduled for Aug. 7, Tilton said.

“This action comes at a most unfortunate time, as Northern has been forced to address major budget reductions that are part of statewide reductions in general revenue appropriations,” Williams said. “The union’s notice of intent to strike brings negotiations to an impasse.

“I am optimistic that the university will go forward to resolve every issue that remains,” Williams said.

Tilton said, “I think we (civil service workers) will be renewed and come to an agreement shortly.”

Williams said if contracts are not signed, he cannot speculate what will happen because the union has several options to pursue. He said NIU officials will continue in their pursuit to resolve the remaining issues and are willing to meet with union representatives.

AFSCME also is negotiating paraprofessional contracts Aug. 17, but these talks are separate from food service and building maintenance workers contracts, Argo said.