Bargaining Updates

Thanks to everyone who was able to attend a CODSU Information Session this week. We hope you find these to be a valuable way to ask questions and remain connected to the work being done to build a stronger voice for Classified Staff. 

Your bargaining team met with College administration again on Thursday, July 9. We continue to hold firm on several non-economic issues that matter most to our unit. Our focus remains on securing improvements that will help recruit and retain talented employees, create a stronger workplace, and ensure Classified Staff are valued and supported for years to come.

While negotiations take time, we remain committed to advocating for meaningful progress and appreciate your continued support throughout this process. Our next bargaining session is scheduled for Thursday, July 23.

We met with the College on Wednesday, June 17, for another bargaining session.

This session was the College’s opportunity to respond to proposals previously presented by the Union, and although we received responses to several proposals, we saw limited movement on priority issues related to retention and seniority.

Classified staff experiences vary greatly across the College. While some employees work in supportive environments, others face challenges that may not be visible to their colleagues. Recruiting and retaining good employees benefits us all. Stability reduces disruptions caused by turnover, preserves institutional knowledge, and lessens the burden placed on coworkers who are often asked to absorb additional responsibilities or train new employees while continuing to manage their own workloads. 

It’s important to recognize that bargaining is a process. There is no predetermined timeline for negotiations, and meaningful progress often takes time. We want to assure you that your bargaining team remains committed to advocating for the priorities identified by our members and securing a strong first contract.

The bargaining team met with College administration on Thursday, June 4.

Throughout negotiations, our team has remained focused on reaching a fair agreement while protecting the interests of our members. We continue to engage in the process in good faith, carefully reviewing proposals, refining language where appropriate, and working to identify practical solutions that move negotiations forward without sacrificing the protections our members deserve.

During this session, we expressed our growing frustration with the pace of negotiations. Many of the 13 remaining non-economic proposals have well-established precedents and concepts already in place elsewhere at the College, yet meaningful progress on these issues remains limited.

Our team has demonstrated a willingness to engage, collaborate, and do the work necessary to resolve outstanding issues. We have approached negotiations with flexibility where appropriate while remaining committed to securing clear, equitable language that will protect members for years to come.

We look forward to the College coming to the next bargaining session prepared to engage meaningfully on the remaining non-economic proposals so that we can continue moving toward an agreement.

Our next bargaining session is Wednesday, June 17. Bargaining dates and times are posted on the CODSU calendar.

You've asked how you can support the bargaining team, and we're providing more opportunities to get involved. One of the most effective ways to demonstrate solidarity is by participating in union events, showing up when you can, and staying engaged throughout the bargaining process.

We also encourage members to wear CODSU shirts or buttons on bargaining days. Visibility matters. Our collective strength at the table depends on member participation and support. When members show up, wear union gear, and stand together, it demonstrates that classified staff are united behind the bargaining team's efforts to secure a strong first contract.

The bargaining team met with College administration on May 20.

Through the bargaining process we are seeing the College’s true priorities.  Their responses (and lack of responses) on many of these items show us that they think of us as replaceable units.  This ‘Culture of Care’ that we constantly hear about clearly isn’t intended for us.

As of today, the College has failed to provide counterproposals on 13 separate items. Our bargaining team has spent significant time researching issues, developing language, and evaluating how proposals would apply in both real and hypothetical situations before bringing them to the table. In response, the College has rejected multiple proposals outright without offering alternative language or meaningful counterproposals, leaving little direction for productive movement. 

Even when responses are provided, they often rely on recycled handbook language rather than substantive solutions to the issues facing Classified staff. That is not enough.

Among the proposals rejected by the College are efforts to:

• strengthen opportunities for internal candidates in the hiring process,

• protect Classified positions from subcontracting and the unchecked expansion of AI, and

• improve long-term job security and stability for staff.

At this stage, the College’s actions at the bargaining table do not reflect the value Classified staff bring to this institution every day. CODSU members deserve a contract that recognizes their experience, professionalism, and contributions to the College community.

Our bargaining team remains committed to pushing these issues forward while also keeping the broader College of DuPage community informed about the status of negotiations.

Our next bargaining session is June 4. Bargaining dates and times are posted on the CODSU calendar. We encourage members to show solidarity by wearing CODSU shirts or buttons on bargaining days. Visibility matters, and our collective strength at the table depends on member engagement and support.

On Thursday, May 7, the CODSU bargaining team held our sixth bargaining session with College administration since January. That session made one thing painfully clear: the College continues to resist meaningful movement on issues that directly impact staff.

The team came prepared with proposals focused on employee protections and creating fair systems. Instead, we were met with resistance, minimal movement, and repeated reminders that the College is apparently more comfortable maintaining confusion than creating clarity. At this point, we remain far apart on key non-economic issues.

The College continues to prioritize management’s right to hire over internal promotions and employee transfers, while giving little to no consideration to our dedication, longevity, or seniority. They have made it very clear where their priorities lie.

While tentative agreements have been reached on items such as new hire orientation, email use, union bulletin boards, and office space, those agreements do little to address the deeper concerns our members continue to raise about fairness, retention, transparency, and workplace protections.

We understand this may feel disheartening. Know that the bargaining team remains committed to fighting for a fair contract that protects employees, values seniority, and ensures equitable access to opportunities and information for all classified staff. In the long run, it is clear who consistently shows up, puts in the work every day, and remains truly committed to the College.

We’re the ones who stay. Others just pass through.

The College community deserves to know what is at stake in these negotiations. We encourage employees and supporters to stay informed, engaged, and vocal as bargaining continues.

Stand with us, and let’s continue putting the “Class” in Classified Staff!

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us on Thursday to celebrate our 1-Year Anniversary of going public. It was nice to see so many familiar faces and meet so many new people!

We are pleased to report another productive bargaining session! The bargaining team met with College administration on Thursday, April 23 for our fifth bargaining session.

We received counter proposals from the College on the remaining non-economic items and are evaluating them to determine the best response.

Our next bargaining session is Thursday, May 7. Bargaining dates and times are posted on the CODSU calendar. We encourage all members to show support by wearing your CODSU shirts or buttons on bargaining days. Visibility matters and demonstrates our collective strength.

We are pleased to report another day of progress for CODSU! The bargaining team met with College administration on Thursday, April 9 for our fourth bargaining session.

We officially signed tentative agreements on a number of non-economic items. We anticipate a full comprehensive response from the College on the remaining non-economic items at our next session.

The bargaining team has formed subcommittees to begin developing our economic proposal which may include but is not limited to items such as time off, flex and remote work, professional development, and compensation.

Our next bargaining session is Thursday, April 23, which is also the one year anniversary of CODSU going public! We are planning a small celebration before heading into bargaining  in recognition of this milestone. Details to follow soon.

Bargaining dates and times are posted on the CODSU calendar. We encourage all members to show support by wearing your CODSU shirts or buttons on bargaining days. Visibility matters and demonstrates our collective strength.

The bargaining team met with College administration on Thursday, March 26 for our third bargaining session.

We’re pleased to share that we reached tentative agreement on several key items related to union rights, including important provisions that establish our presence and ability to communicate and operate effectively on campus.  These are meaningful early wins that help lay the foundation for a strong first contract.

This session focused on gaining clarity around the College’s initial proposals so we can continue moving negotiations forward thoughtfully and strategically. We are carefully reviewing their positions and preparing counterproposals that reflect our priorities and the needs of Classified Staff.

While progress is being made, there is still significant work ahead. We remain committed to securing a fair and comprehensive agreement.

Our next bargaining session is scheduled for Thursday, April 9. We encourage all members to show support by wearing your CODSU shirts or buttons on bargaining days. Visibility matters and demonstrates our collective strength.

The bargaining team met with College administration on Thursday, March 26 for our third bargaining session.

We’re pleased to share that we reached tentative agreement on several key items related to union rights, including important provisions that establish our presence and ability to communicate and operate effectively on campus.  These are meaningful early wins that help lay the foundation for a strong first contract.

This session focused on gaining clarity around the College’s initial proposals so we can continue moving negotiations forward thoughtfully and strategically. We are carefully reviewing their positions and preparing counterproposals that reflect our priorities and the needs of Classified Staff.

While progress is being made, there is still significant work ahead. We remain committed to securing a fair and comprehensive agreement.

Our next bargaining session is scheduled for Thursday, April 9. We encourage all members to show support by wearing your CODSU shirts or buttons on bargaining days. Visibility matters and demonstrates our collective strength.

Your Bargaining Committee continues to meet regularly, and is working hard to craft strong non-economic contract items that reflect our shared priorities and values. We appreciate the thoughtful input and engagement many of you have already provided.

If you have questions, thoughts, or ideas you’d like to share, please stop by and connect with fellow union members in BIC 2515. Your voice helps strengthen our work together.

Our next negotiation meeting with college administration is scheduled for March 12, and we look forward to continuing the progress.

We are writing in regards to tonight’s Board agenda item 9.o proposing a 4% compensation pool increase for Administrators, Managers, and non-bargaining Classified staff effective July 1, 2026. We understand the frustration, and please know the Union is fully aware and actively bargaining for fair, and ideally better, increases for our members, including retroactive pay. “Non-bargaining” in this context refers to employees in confidential positions; those legally excluded from union representation because they assist management with labor relations. This does not refer to employees who have not signed union cards. It’s important to see the big picture. Rushing to accept a quick deal just to mirror this action would weaken our leverage and undermine our mission to secure the strongest possible contract. We are moving this process forward as quickly as possible while remaining strategic and disciplined. Standing together is how we get the best results.

Thank you for your solidarity and support today as we kicked off our first bargaining session!

A special thanks to our honored guests State Representative Diane Blair‑Sherlock, State Senator Karina Villa, CODFA President David Goldberg, and CODFA representative Missy Mouritsen.

Today’s meeting was positive and productive. We proposed a majority of our non-economic items including, but not limited to, union rights, seniority, flex and remote work, grievance procedures, and filling of vacancies.

We know there’s a long road ahead, but we’re ready for the work and committed to a collaborative, member‑driven process every step of the way. We look forward to our next meeting with College administration in February.

As we continue navigating this brand-new territory, today was a powerful reminder of our collective strength. We pulled off a larger-than-expected event, adjusted on the fly with a late Zoom link, and showed that it truly takes a village. Classified Staff continues to prove we are capable of anything.