OUS Bargaining Update 8/24/09

IT’S TIME TO STAND UP FOR A FAIR CONTRACT!
More than 150 members greeted our Bargaining Team at PSU with a high-spirited rally and march down the Park Blocks through Neuberger Hall to the Urban Center Thursday during the first of two more days of mediation to let Chancellor Pernsteiner know that we will not accept OUS’s unreasonable and disrespectful approach. Among the speakers at the rally was SEIU Executive Director Leslie Frane, who reassured the workers that our 45,000 members will not stand for us to be treated like “second-class state workers.”

Team Is Clear on Goals
We remain firm on our core goals for settling this contract:

• We will not accept more furlough days or a longer step freeze than DAS workers are required to take.

• We expect all OUS employees to share equally in the sacrifice.

• We insist that OUS include 14 student recyclers at PSU, our newest members in our bargaining.

Based on management’s behavior in mediation, it’s clear that OUS’s bottom line still falls far short of these goals. That’s why it’s time to prove our seriousness by preparing for a strike. Under Oregon law, the first step in preparing for a strike is to declare impasse. That step that may be necessary very soon.

Partial Victory on Furloughs: Management Moves on Unlimited Days
As a result of members’ hard work putting pressure on the Chancellor and Governor, meeting with legislators to recruit their assistance, phoning, emailing and faxing, we have seen real movement at the table on furloughs. OUS’s last offer removed the onerous proposal to give management the right to impose an unlimited number of furlough days. Unfortunately, this all-or-nothing package also included up to 21furlough days, a 2-year step freeze, and no recognition of the Recyclers, so we could not accept it, but it is nonetheless a significant stride forward. This step forward demonstrates members’ effectiveness when we stand up and speak out on behalf of our rights.   

Deal Made for Contract Extension
Last week, OUS agreed to a contract extension that will carry us through the conclusion of bargaining. This was part of a settlement of the first unfair labor practice complaint we filed over management efforts to cut our pay in violation of the ground rules. Our contractual rights will remain intact!

Management Continues to Dishonor Recyclers
Although the first ULP was settled, the ULP we filed over management’s refusal to recognize the 14 Student Recyclers who voted unanimously to join our Union is still very much active. The full Employment Relations Board (ERB) heard the complaint last Wednesday and we await their ruling.

Management Is Wasting Scarce Resources
On August 7, at the conclusion of another two days of management stalling, we presented a comprehensive package proposal aimed at resolving all outstanding issues. After having this proposal for 2 weeks, management representatives returned to the table on Thursday unprepared to respond. We spent most of our day waiting for a response. When it did finally reach us, through the mediator, the response reflected essentially no movement from OUS’s previous position. We expressed our dissatisfaction to the mediator: “I have a job to do that isn’t getting done while they waste our time… and limited OUS resources,” said Bob Sexton, SOU representative.

Management Refuses to Continue Bargaining
Bargaining concluded Friday with management unwilling to bargain into the night and get the contract settled despite our Team’s desire to do so. When the Team requested additional dates to continue the process, management representatives refused to discuss any return to the table.
 
What’s Next??
As the Team considers all options, including a declaration of impasse, the field campaign is heating up. Expect to see your CAT distributing Strike Pledge Cards. Please sign the card and encourage your co-workers to sign. We are strong and we need to show the Chancellor that we’re ready to stand up for a fair contract.

Continue to contact the Chancellor, your University President, your FADM Director/VP, the Governor and your legislators. You can sign the on-line petition to the chancellor here.

The message is the same:

• Settle this contract fairly and equitably.

• Don’t treat us differently than other state workers including others in OUS.

• Bargain with all members, not just the ones you choose.

We ARE stronger together!