NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — Trash is piling up, students at Illinois State University say as a strike by several hundred employees enters its second week.
Gracie Neal, an sophomore, said she had to walk over trash to exit the parking garage near Watterson Towers.
“Previously this week and last, the garbage cans all over the parking deck are overflowing with food, garbage and drinks,” she said.
Her comments come a day before the university and the union are to return to the bargaining table on Wednesday.
Buildings, grounds and dining services employees have been negotiating with the university for more than a year and last month, the rank and file authorized a strike vote. The strike came hours after both sides presented their last-ditch effort and couldn’t reach an agreement.
In a statement, ISU said they’ve been using external resources on campus to assist in maintaining essential services. That includes clearing out the trash.
Freshman Isabelle Lynn also saw the trash pile up at a parking lot before it was cleared up.
“There’s a lot of trash built up from people not eating in the dining hall just because there is that limited portion sizing,” she said.
Students report there’s less food available in the dining halls. Qdoba has also closed down. In a statement, ISU said it has been “closed temporarily to ensure resources for other areas of campus.”
McAllister Deli also has a sign saying their hours of operation can change day by day.
Ava Neal, an sophomore, said she’s on the ISU meal plan, giving her “flex dollars” she can spend at campus food joints.
She said she’s been spending flex dollars at places outside the dining hall.
“It’s definitely a struggle,” she said.
Both Ava and Gracie Neal said they support the strike.
“To the dining hall and eating and, like, I have barely any choices, but I’m full yeah, strike. Like we should all be getting fair wages because they also have families to provide for,” Gracie Neal said.
Added Ava Neal: “I totally understand what the strike stands for and is about. I feel like a lot of students feel collateral damage to this because I’m not necessarily doing anything wrong, but I’m facing consequences.”
This story originated at WMBD TV. The original story can be found online at CIProud.com.
