Joseph Graziano led 50 faculty union members across the Anthony Hall lawn Monday to forewarn administrators that they should stop stonewalling and start bargaining.

Representatives of the faculty union picketed as a direct response to sputtering contract negotiations with SIUC administrators.

Generally more than 50 union members were in sight, but organizers say more than 100 faculty participated in the picketing.

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Graziano, faculty union member, and other representatives of the faculty union had a message to tell SIU President Ted Sanders and the administration. Namely, that the faculty union is growing weary of drawn-out negotiations.

Faculty union leaders have repeatedly stated beginning in January that they wanted a contract by March 1.

Continuing negotiations between the faculty and administrators began one year ago and have amplified faculty union concerns toward the slow pace of negotiations.

The demonstration began in the late morning when faculty union representatives gathered in front of Anthony Hall, where key administrative offices are located.

Jim Sullivan, faculty union president, marched and held conversations with peers and student passersby. Sullivan said he will meet with negotiators to discuss the seriousness of the faculty union’s resolve, and that the association wants a contract by May 1.

Sullivan said after the protest that he was disappointed that no administrators came outside to speak with him or address the picketing faculty.

It would have been nice to see someone come out and say hello, Sullivan said.

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Throughout the two-hour picket, the demonstrators moved in a sweeping circular pattern to the cadences of Graziano who cried out What do you want? to which the faculty shouted, Contract now!

It is not just a matter of more money, Graziano, a technical and resource management assistant professor, said. It’s a matter of treating faculty fairly, a matter of the administration spending their money equitably.

A document prepared by the SIUC Faculty Association stated that of 37 peer institutions classified as Carnegie II universities across the country, SIUC ranked 36th in faculty salaries.

Alice Hees, assistant professor in health care professions, disseminated information to students who passed in front of Anthony Hall.

I’ve worked with SIUC since 1974, and I work because I love to teach, Hees said. But being aware that we have not been respected for our needs to be paid appropriately for our work, I’ve joined the union.

Hees’ message to the administration was a sobering reminder that continued negotiation strains could result in a strike, however remote the possibility.

The administration has hired an outside law firm from Chicago to handle contract negotiations. Similar situations have existed at other institutions regarding first-time contract negotiations, however, the faculty-administrative relations usually go smoother, said Hazel Loucks, higher education director of the Illinois Education Association.

Loucks participated in the demonstration and is disappointed with the antics of SIUC administrators and their use of an outside law firm.

[The faculty] are going to stay here. It’s their life, and in their best interest to negotiate, Loucks said. The administration has a Chicago law firm in here that does not care about the area. All they care about is making money, extending contract negotiations and I think it is sad.

Ted Weeks, associate professor in history, rallied around Anthony Hall to tell the administration that it is time to start taking the faculty association seriously.

The administration needs to get with it, Weeks said. They are already a month late. I’m giving the administration an F grade at this time.

I do not think that our ambition should be to be the worst university in our category, Weeks said. The administration doesn’t seem to care about teaching or research or whether the students are getting something out of this University.

Still chanting We Want a Contract Now, the group marched to the south entrance of Anthony Hall and chanted loudly outside the building.

John Cotter, assistant professor in aviation technologies, participated by handing out fliers to students who, he said, were not aware of what was going on.

[The situation] is going to get serious if the administration doesn’t start negotiating seriously, Cotter said. What they are doing now is stalling.

Angered by lofty administrative salaries, Cotter said the chancellor’s salary, which is five times more than his own, is unfounded.

Faculty salaries are abysmal, Cotter said. Even for the area.

About 5 students involved with the opposition to an increased athletic fee walked with demonstrators.

Rob Taylor, senior in philosophy from Rockford and president of Students Organized Against the Athletic Fee, wants shared governance for the faculty and said the students support the faculty.

Graziano led the group nearly until they disbanded at noon. The faculty went their own directions. Some went to teach while others walked in groups headed away from Anthony Hall.

I think we are too top heavy at this University, he said. There are too many administrators and a small portion is getting too much money.