A number of labor unions representing graduate student workers, faculty, and other employees across campus are bargaining in an attempt to secure coronavirus protections. First and foremost, unions would like for the University to provide protective equipment for essential employees who must report to work in person. Additionally, due to the coronavirus, employees who work from home are now saddled with a number of new responsibilities, which unions believe warrants a pay increase. Other issues that are important to the unions include graduate student healthcare costs and housing for international workers who may not be able return home this summer.
See "University of Illinois union seeks better conditions ", Lee V. Gaines, Illinois Newsroom , April 14, 2020