Classes Resume at EIU as Strike is Suspended

Classes resumed today at Eastern Illinois University, as a strike by faculty and staff has been suspended.

The university released a statement, stating in part that EIU "thanks all parties for their commitments to our students and wllingness to collaboratively chart a pathway forward."

EIU UPI President Jennifer Stringfellow said members decided to suspend the six-day strike to "officially consider the administration's offer." Stringfellow said of the last, best, final offer by administration, "this line in the sand they have drawn is the reality, and we must accept it."

The UPI bargaining team did not endorse the administration package, saying it does not offer union members a chance to do work that was missed during the strike. The faculty statement indicate a hope "for a time resolution of this outstanding issue, so it doesn't postpone the ratification vote."