Strike Pledges Are Out!

Workers on 7 Campuses Rush to Sign Cards

Many of the 4,000 classified workers on all seven Oregon university campuses are standing up for a fair contract and pledging to support a vote to strike, if it is necessary.

Members of SEIU Local 503 Contract Action Teams and other union leaders began circulating strike pledge cards this week and they are being signed and returned by the hundreds.

In a message to all members, the OUS Bargaining Team said, “It’s time to take a stand and say:

“I will not accept a contract that includes_
• up to 21 furlough days when no DAS worker will have more than 14;
• a two-year step freeze when the DAS workers’ steps will only be frozen for one year;
• no contract protections for the PSU recyclers who voted to join our union;
• no firm commitment to shared sacrifice by managers and other staff.

"The management bargaining team is showing no willingness to address our key issues of DAS parity, shared sacrifice and protection for the PSU recyclers. No one wants to strike, but if we capitulate on the principle of parity over compensation this year, our health care will be on the line next time. For our families and our future, we must be ready to stand united for a fair contract. We cannot allow the Chancellor and the Board of Higher Education to treat first-class university workers as second-class State workers.”

After they refused to discuss setting a date for continued talks following the end of the last mediation session August 21, ,the Chancellor's negotiators were taken to task by the union and many of our allies — including legislators who asked how that kind of gamesmanship could lead to a fair settlement.

In another example of how strong and swift action can get results, the OUS negotiators asked for another session. We have agreed to meet again Friday, September 4 on the Western Oregon campus.

  Click here to listen to a radio ad supporting OUS workers, featuring Local 503 member James Jacobson. The ad is running this week on stations all over Oregon.

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