Union Rights & Benefits
Through the power of union representation, tenured and tenure-track faculty at Northern Illinois University collectively and individually have specific rights as outlined within the terms of the United Faculty Alliance’s contract with the employer.
Current Contract
Our contract, known formally as the Collective Bargaining Agreement (or CBA), is a legally binding document between the UFA and the employer, Northern Illinois University, that outlines the rights of tenured and tenure-track faculty and procedures pertaining to multiple aspects of employment, including wages and raises, working conditions, grievances, discipline, and governance.
Collective Bargaining Agreement (July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2026)
MOU on Impacts of Changes in Federal Funding and Policy since January 20, 2025
An MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) is an agreement that is bargained for with the employer in between collective bargaining agreements. This MOU (linked below) was signed June 27, 2025, and seeks to mitigate the impacts upon research and service opportunities for faculty that came about as a result of the change in federal administration beginning on January 20, 2025.
UFA Bylaws
The UFA Bylaws are the governing document for our union, defining leadership roles and committee responsibilities, determining rules for meetings, and guiding elections.
Union Discounts
Through the UFA’s affiliation with the Illinois Federation of Teachers, and the American Federation of Teachers dues-paying members have access to a wide range of benefits, including financial, health, and legal services, educational opportunities, and savings and discounts on travel and shopping.
Previous Contracts
Collective Bargaining Agreement (July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2022)
Previous MOU’s (Memoranda of Understanding)
MOU’s are things that are bargained for with the employer in between collective bargaining agreements. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, UFA leadership successfully lobbied on behalf of faculty for working conditions that put the safety of the entire campus community first and secured additional rights and provisions for faculty to address the impact of the pandemic on teaching, research, and artistry.
Pandemic MOU 5: Academic year 2021-2022 (NIU UFA and NIU Instructors Union, through 6/30/2022)
Professional Development Funds (UFARPIF) MOU (FY 2021-2022)
Have questions? Contact us.