Recent discussion of a possible strike authorization vote by the faculty union has left the administration’s negotiating team confused.

Eastern’s chapter of the University Professionals of Illinois currently have answers to frequently asked questions about a possible strike posted on the UPI Web site, and UPI President David Radavich, an English professor, has been corresponding with other union members about strike authorization votes.

Bob Wayland, director of employee and labor relations and the administration’s chief negotiator, said he was not expecting strike talks at this point in the bargaining process.

The UPI and the administration are negotiating a new three-year faculty contract, but are struggling to reach an agreement. Both groups met with federal mediator Jerry Carmichael, who was hired to aid negotiations, before Thanksgiving break, and another meeting is planned.

“I’m kind of surprised they’re even talking about a strike because we have a meeting scheduled for next week,” Wayland said. “It seems a little bit premature.”

Radavich said the UPI is “guardedly hopeful” negotiations will go well, and said the union views a faculty strike as a last resort.

“It’s an option we have to consider given that negotiations aren’t progressing well,” Radavich said.

In a recent e-mail to UPI members, Radavich clarified some confusion about a potential strike authorization vote. A UPI meeting with department heads was held on Thursday night to explain the strike process, and Radavich said the department heads can inform faculty on what they learned.

A strike authorization vote, Radavich wrote, is not a vote to strike, but a means for the UPI Executive Committee to vote on and take appropriate action short of an actual strike.

UPI members also would have to be polled twice before a strike could occur.

“In the current situation, a strike authorization vote empowers the UPI Executive Committee to consider and use all appropriate means to further the negotiation process,” Radavich wrote.

A definition of a strike authorization vote, as well as other possible issues students and faculty could face in the event of a strike, are listed on the UPI’s Web site.

The Web site states a faculty strike has never occurred at Eastern before, but the university must prepare for it in case this is the time. If a strike occurs, classes would not be held, temporarily inconveniencing students, and faculty would sacrifice pay to hold weekday pickets.

Sue Kaufman, president of UPI local 4100, said Eastern’s chapter is guiding it’s own future in negotiations.

Kaufman works with several UPI chapters at various universities in Illinois, including Governor’s State University and Chicago State University. Both of these schools are facing negotiation woes and have recently held informational pickets for faculty.

Throughout the state, faculty contracts remain unsettled, which Kaufman said is a result of administrators’ refusal to offer any salary increases.

“This is not acceptable-we have to have faculty who are going to be paid on a competitive basis. Students also are a top priority,” Kaufman said.

Eastern’s UPI members are taking steps they find necessary in negotiations, she said.

“There’s a very strong group of people at Eastern,” said Kaufman, a former journalism professor at Eastern. “They deserve a good contract with good pay.”

Wayland said at this point, he’s very disturbed to see this sort of thing occurring, but said talk of a strike authorization vote doesn’t mean faculty will stop working.

He also said he was surprised Radavich, not UPI Chief Negotiator Charles Delman, a math professor, was discussing a strike since he is not actively involved in negotiations.

The administration intends to continue meeting with the mediator, which is required by law.

“I’m very hopeful we can resolve this thing very soon,” Wayland said.