Springfield, Ill. – The Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board will step in to mediate a contract dispute between the SIU School of Medicine and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

The board will hold a hearing July 15 in Chicago on the “unfair labor practice” claim by the union. The claim is in response to nearly 240 SIU employees who had their union membership removed by the University.

There will also be oral arguments June 19 in Springfield and Chicago via teleconference to possibly restore union membership until the dispute is resolved. All meetings are open to the public.