SIU School of Medicine ratifies new contract with union workers in Springfield

Hope Gadson, Springfield State Journal- Register

After long negotiations and bargaining, the SIU School of Medicine has come to an agreement about their contracts with their employees.

After 14 months of negotiations, the school and the AFSCME Local 370 agreed to and ratified a new contract on Tuesday. Nearly 800 employees work in positions represented by the union, according to AFSCME.

The new contract includes a sustainable pay increase in addition to the 17.2% increase the school has made since 2019.

Katelynn Ayers of Springfield, right, and Jody Aiello Carriker, center left, join other employees and clinical staff on a picket line outside of the SIU School of Medicine in Springfield on April 11, 2024. The school signed a new contract with AFSCME Local 370 on May 21, 2024.
Katelynn Ayers of Springfield, right, and Jody Aiello Carriker, center left, join other employees and clinical staff on a picket line outside of the SIU School of Medicine in Springfield on April 11, 2024. The school signed a new contract with AFSCME Local 370 on May 21, 2024.

More: City Water, Lights and Power gearing up for possible lawsuit against EPA over new rules

Details of the plan include the following agreements:

  • A two-year contract that is effective through June 30, 2025.

  • FY24 increases at 3 percent and retroactive to July 1, 2023.

  • FY25 increases at 3.5 percent will be effective July 1, 2024.

“In every stage, we remained committed to our goal of being responsive to the needs of staff while protecting the financial stability of the organization," Dr. Jerry Kruse, dean and provost of the school, said in a news release. "We are proud of the progress symbolized by this agreement, and we recognize that leaders and members are both committed to our mission of better health for all."

Contract negotiations had been tenuous over the last year plus, and even led to workers picketing outside of the school administration building in April.

AFSCME previously had said inflation rose 12% over the last two years of the previous agreement. Despite the rise in inflation, workers got a 4.5% raise, AFSCME said.

The new contract also includes five new titles in the bargaining unit, plus changes to clinic nurse exempt status and attendance policy changes.

Contact Hope Gadson: hgadson@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: SIU School of Medicine, AFSCME ratify new contract through June 2025

Advertisement