The Kishwaukee College Board of Trustees voted to approve a four-year contract with the Kishwaukee Council of Support Staff (KCSS) Union during the May 2023 Board of Trustees meeting.
The negotiating team utilized Interest-Based Bargaining (IBB), a negotiating strategy that focuses on developing mutually agreeable solutions to issues brought up by both parties. The College has used IBB since 2016. Members of the KCSS team included Eric Hermann, Application Programmer; Phil Wilson, Maintenance Helper; and Michael Ebner, Application Programmer. Members of the Administration team included Cindy McCluskey, Executive Director of Human Resources & Labor Relations; R.J. McGarry, Executive Director of Campus Operations & Technology; and Tina Swiger, Executive Director of Human Resources.
“No negotiations are ever easy, but I'm pleased with how we were able to work together to find common ground and arrive at a deal that both sides found beneficial. I look forward to working with the College in the future and continuing to represent the concerns and interests of our members,” Hermann said.
Highlights of the new collective bargaining agreement include increased support staff compensation and expanded leave time. Negotiations took place starting in early March through late April.
“We are proud of the agreement we were able to reach after several weeks of good-faith negotiations. Reaching a successful agreement in such a short time speaks to the good working relationship between the College and the KCSS Union as we continue to make Kishwaukee College a great place to work and learn,” McCluskey said.
Dr. Laurie Borowicz, President of Kishwaukee College, commended both teams for their efforts to reach an agreement.
“Support staff are integral to the mission and vision of Kishwaukee College. We greatly appreciate the collaboration on this new contract to support the best interests of the College and the entire Kish community,” Dr. Borowicz said.
The contract is effective July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.