The Elgin Community College Faculty Association (ECCFA, Local 3791) negotiations team has been meeting with the Board of Trustees’ bargaining team since late September 2025 in pursuit of a new contract. After nearly 20 bargaining sessions, an agreement has yet to be reached.
Faculty are demanding fair salaries that make them whole after previous years of salary freezes and that align faculty pay at Elgin Community College with comparable institutions, including Waubonsee Community College, the College of DuPage, and Harper College. Faculty have been working under an expired contract since January 1, 2026. The most recent salary offer from the board’s bargaining team was virtually identical to its previous, widely criticized proposal.
“The union has made significant compromises in bargaining so far. It is time for the board to do the same.”
— Kim Tarver, ECCFA Chief Negotiator
Faculty Retention and Student Impact
“If the board does not offer competitive salaries to faculty, including early-career educators, we will not be able to attract high-quality professionals to new and growing programs,” said Lauren Sullivan, Adjunct Librarian. “ECC is a recognized and award-winning college. Our goal is to ensure that students continue to receive an outstanding education for years to come across a broad range of programs.”
The parties began bargaining last week with the assistance of a federal mediator.
“ECC students are our top priority. If the administration feels the same way, it’s time to prove it by investing in the incredible faculty who make this college strong.”
— Dan Kernler, ECCFA President
About the Union
The Elgin Community College Faculty Association, Local 3791, is a union of college educators employed by Elgin Community College. The ECCFA is affiliated with the Illinois Federation of Teachers, which represents more than 105,000 members statewide, and the American Federation of Teachers, a national union representing approximately 1.8 million members.