OUS Bargaining Update 7/24/09

Member Voices Grow Louder and More Pointed
After a noon-time rally Thursday in support of the Union Bargaining Team during the latest days of negotiations on the Western Oregon University campus, Lori Hildebrand, interim President of the WOU local, attended the afternoon bargaining session to give management feedback on the impact of proposed furloughs from the membership. For 15 minutes, she read statements written by members from WOU to management, and management listened throughout.  Download and read member stories here.

The point of these stories is that for many classified workers, every lost day in wages will be felt immediately:  for many, it's not going to be about reduced savings or foregoing weekend entertainment options, but about whether they can pay the rent, fix the car, or buy the medications they need.  When we say we're sacrificing, we really mean it!

No New Agreements Reached at Table
Even though proposals and responses were exchanged on furlough implementation concepts, various differentials, work schedules and our Early Retirement Incentive Program, no agreements were reached, and no issues removed from the table.  On the contrary, on key issues, we were unable to narrow the distance between our proposals:  Management still wants to change the contract so it could implement unlimited furloughs at whim (in 14-day increments) and is still seeking 24 furlough days over the biennium at the top (compared to our maximum of six); and still proposing a 2-year step freeze (compared to our "no freeze, continue as is" proposal). Meanwhile, we expect to pick up our conversations about selectives when we meet for our next round of bargaining at UO, on Wednesday and Thursday (7/29 and 7/30).

Sides Getting Closer in DAS Bargaining
Even though we're not moving very quickly at our OUS table, the SEIU and State Bargaining Teams are coming closer together in DAS bargaining. Despite the State's declaration impasse, Wednesday, both teams have continued to bargain and are adjusting key economic proposals along the way. A good development, this year, has been the close coordination of our bargaining with our state co-workers and union brothers and sisters in AFSCME, which has helped to keep a consistent and unified message going to the Governor.  If there is a settlement in DAS, our Ground Rules at OUS this time do not require furloughs (or unlimited furloughs) and step freezes to be handled the same as in DAS, automatically.  OUS insisted on that change in the Ground Rules at the beginning of bargaining.  Therefore, it is possible we could still be facing the bad proposals from OUS even after a possibly more favorable settlement at the DAS table, this time.  Be ready to help put up a strong fight to persuade management that state workers in OUS should not be asked to sacrifice any more than state workers in other state agencies.  Stay tuned.

August 5th Action Day
To help persuade OUS management (and DAS management, too, if no settlement is reached beforehand) join your friends and co-workers at a Statewide Day of Action on August 5th. Mark your calendar and check with your organizer or local leader or C.A.T. for more details.

More recent news about State and University bargaining