The University of Illinois Springfield faculty has voted to form a union.
Nearly 140 members are part of the bargaining unit, which will now begin working on a contract with the administration.
Professor Lynn Fisher was an organizer:
"The faculty at UIS are interested in changing the direction of the university on issues of transparency, especially in the budget, and also really advocating for our students."
Fisher says the union will also negotiate pay and benefits and push for more shared governance and job stability. The university says it will engage in talks.
The school last had a faculty union when it was called Sangamon State University, before it became part of the University of Illinois in the mid 1990's.