Representatives of the Local 963 union are urging NIU representatives to come to a resolution over a possible contract violation before the discussion goes into arbitration, or third-party mediation, on Nov. 10.

The possible violation of contract is the prolonged hire of extra-help employees, who work for lower wages than union employees and without benefits.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 963 union represents about 300 building and food service workers locally and at the Lorado Taft Field Campus.

AFSCME staff representative Kathy Steichen said NIU is not complying with the State Universities Civil Service System, which requires that extra-help employees are hired for temporary or emergent positions.

“The university is saying that is what they’re using them for,” Steichen said. “We don’t believe that’s true, we believe they are being used for very predictable jobs.”

Steichen said one residence hall is completely staffed by extra-help employees.

“These are people right next to us doing the same work as us for a fraction of our wage,” said Local 963 President Darlene Seilheimer.

“It’s not fair to them and it’s not fair to us. It’s not the responsible thing for the university to do either, on a number of levels” she said.

The union has seen an increase in extra-help hires over the past five years, Seilheimer said, and feels NIU has implemented labor changes without first negotiating with the union, a violation of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act.

The issues going to arbitration “have been outstanding issues that have been building for years” Steichen said.

“Once it gets to [arbitration] level, that is a grievance that hasn’t been resolved at all these lower levels so it’s taken a lot more time and cost,” Steichen said. “Arbitration has always been the last option.”

Union steward Jim Sheridan said the extra-help hire problem could have been resolved over a year ago, when the grievance was first filed.

“At the heart of all of these [issues] is that the university isn’t bargaining with us,” he said.

The union is also in negotiations over its contract, which expired in June.

NIU Human Resources has referred all media inquiries to Media Relations, who did not return calls as of press time.