CFA This Week

THIS FRIDAY

First Fridays!

Join your colleagues at THE YARD this Friday for snacks, drinks, and conversation.

Friday, October 2 · 5–7 p.m.
The Yard · 401 N. Broadway, Urbana

TALKING POINT OF THE WEEK

Higher Education Under Attack

Tell folks about an upcoming event sponsored by CFA: Higher Education Under Attack on October 13.

Join us at a panel and reception on how faculty can move from isolated concerns to collective action.

Tuesday, October 13 · 3–5 p.m.
NCSA Auditorium · 1205 W. Clark St., Urbana

Featuring Sean McDonald, Shawn Gilmore, and Terri Barnes. RSVP to request childcare.

ASK OF THE WEEK

Register for the October 5–8 organizing blitz

It’s time to pound the pavement and visit tenure-stream faculty across campus to talk about why joining CFA is good for faculty and the whole campus.

Ask a friend to join you! Sign up for an October 5–8 shift by emailing CFA at cfa@cfaillinois.org.

IN THE NEWS

Illinois educators organize for better conditions

Educators around Illinois are organizing with coworkers for better working conditions.

In nearby Mahomet, Mahomet-Seymour Education Association teachers and staff reached a tentative agreement on September 25, days before a possible strike. IPM reported that the agreement still awaited ratification by union members.

Faculty and staff at the City Colleges of Chicago have voted to authorize a strike, ABC7 reported on September 24, 2026. Members are seeking higher wages, smaller class sizes, and protections related to artificial intelligence. No strike date had been set at the time of the report, and negotiations were continuing with a federal mediator.

Their union, Cook County College Teachers Union Local 1600, is affiliated with the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the statewide union also working with CFA.

REGIONAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEES

Find your place in the union. ROCS NEED YOU!

Regional Organizing Committees (ROCs) bring colleagues together to organize across campus. Join yours to help build a strong union.

Contact your ROC lead for meeting details and remote-access information.

All times Central.

Not sure which ROC to join? Email CFA to get connected. You can also meet the ROC leads on our website.

CALENDAR

Get involved this week

Check out the CFA calendar to find out how you can get more involved in the union. Regional Organizing Committees are meeting weekly and organizing all over campus. Join yours to help build a strong union.