Oregon's University Union Approves Strike If Bargaining Fails
Members of the union that represents classified employees at Oregon's public universities, SEIU Local 503, overwhelmingly voted Tuesday to strike if the union and public universities cannot settle on a new contract, according to a union statement. If the union and public universities can't settle, then the union plans to strike Sept. 30.
The decision by more than 95 percent of voting members to authorize a potential strike comes after their most recent bargaining session at Oregon State University from Sept. 11-13.
After negotiations that the union has described as "insulting," SEIU Local 503 cited cost of living allowances that were too low to match actual worker needs, a lack of recognition for long-term university employees, and a proposal to raise the price of meals for dining-service employees from $1 to $3 as some of their frustrations.
The current offer from public universities includes a 2 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) starting Nov. 2019 as well as 24 personal leave hours per year, among other items. The union is proposing 3 percent and 3.25 percent COLAs starting Oct. 2019 and Oct. 2020, respectively, along with 32 personal leave hours per year.
Read more: https://www.wweek.com/news/schools/2019/09/18/oregons-university-union-approves-strike-if-bargaining-fails/
(Williamette Week)
