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U Of I Grad Assistants Go On Strike

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Nov 16, 2009 10:01 am US/Central

U Of I Grad Assistants Go On Strike

Contract Negotiations Failed Over The Weekend

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (CBS) ―

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Some students at the University of Illinois are out of class this week, now that graduate assistants have gone on strike.

Members of the Graduate Employees' Organization on Sunday said the strike was to begin Monday morning, following failed contract negotiations.

The strike went ahead at 8 a.m. Sunday, WCIA-TV in Champaign reported. A picket is set to go on until 5 p.m. in the quadrangle of the Champaign-Urbana campus.

According to a union statement, the major point of contention is whether the school would promise to allow graduate and teaching assistants to attend the university for free.

Union members and university officials say negotiations lasted six hours on Saturday and all other issues were resolved.

University spokesman Robin Kaler says the union made additional demands after both parties reached agreement.

Kaler says the union has a right to strike, but faculty members are expected to show up to work.

The union represents graduate and teaching assistants and has about 2,600 members. They teach about 20 percent of the classes, WCIA reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.