Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – They’re going to walk.

The union representing tenure-track faculty at the University of Illinois Springfield says they will strike as of 9:30 Friday morning, if a new contract isn’t reached by then.

The University Professionals of Illinois and the UIS United Faculty Union, in a news release and about two weeks after voting to authorize a strike, describe the last 11 months of negotiations as “unproductive.”

They’re planning picketing, a solidarity rally, and a news conference starting at 9:30 a.m. unless a deal is done.

Non-tenure-track faculty ratified a deal last year, but support staff also don’t have a contract.

Among the concerns are pay and the use of artificial intelligence.

UIS officials have previously said they feel a strike is unnecessary.