AFSCME Central Regional Office: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Clerical Administrative Campaign Records

Accession Number: 
LR002686
Extent: 
.25 linear feet (1 MB)

AFSCME Local 698, chartered in 1944, initially consisted of laboratory mechanics and agricultural employees of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), with other groups later joining. During 1970-1971, clerical workers initiated an organizing campaign but ultimately failed to get majority support. In 1983, AFSCME sent one organizer, with more following in subsequent years, to UIUC as part of a wider organizing effort in the state of Illinois. In August 1991, a representation election was held and AFSCME won. Local 698 then had its charter amended, granting the clerical-administrative employees a separate local – Local 3700. Contract negotiations began in earnest in 1992. Local 3700 conducted an informational picket in August of 1992. Among the issues was a significant pay gap between state clerical workers (represented by AFSCME Council 31) and the UIUC clerical workers, as well as pay equity between men and women on campus. A group called the Committee of Concerned Clericals attempted to decertify the local, but failed after another election confirmed Local 3700’s status as sole bargaining representative. Members ratified a contract agreement in January of 1993. At that time, Local 3700 had over 1,500 members. The AFSCME Central Regional Office: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Clerical Administrative Campaign Records consist of a chronology of events, newsletters, flyers, brochures, and other organizing materials created in the course of the campaign. Also includes newsletters and publications related to the campaign produced by AFSCME headquarters and AFSCME Council 31.

Date: 
1984-1993
Attachment(click to download)
LR002686.pdfLR002686_guide.pdf256.11 KB