The Kishwaukee College Board of Trustees and the faculty union have reached an agreement for their five-year contract, starting this academic year.
College and union officials came to an agreement after four months of weekly meetings. Some terms of the contract include annual salary raises of 2.5 to 3 percent over five years, starting salaries based on certain credentials, and changes to health insurance benefits.
Former Kishwaukee College president Tom Choice ended his term in December 2015. Current president Laurie Borowicz, who started in January 2016, says she was told there were some ill feelings with negotiations when she was interviewing for the job.
“The faculty wanted to be valued, respected [and] appreciated for what they provide to our institution,” Borowicz said.
Borowicz says both sides wanted negotiations to be different this time. She says the interspace bargaining approach took longer, but was worth it in the end.
“Faculty see our students every day, Borowicz said. “They are the backbone of higher education, and we wanted to make sure as administrators that we were respecting that and listening to their needs.”
Union members did not return multiple requests for comment from WNIJ.