After five days out of the classroom, University of Illinois-Springfield United Faculty (UISUF) reached a tentative agreement Sunday afternoon with University administration and suspended its strike. The deal was reached following three days of marathon bargaining sessions.

UIS United Faculty leaders expressed optimism about the future of faculty members’ relationship with University administration.

“We have negotiated a contract that will establish greater transparency going forward,” said Kristi Barnwell, Union Vice President and Associate Professor of History. “This is a step forward in bridging the gap between faculty members and administration.”

The final contract remains to be ratified by a vote of faculty before it can be put into effect. “We will call for a membership meeting and vote on the contract before the end of semester,” said Lynn Fisher, UIS United Faculty President and Associate Professor of Anthropology.