Office of the Registrar

From: Office of Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear Oregon State University community members,

I am writing to provide an update on contract bargaining occurring between the university and the Coalition of Graduate Employees (CGE). The university and CGE were unable to reach an agreement at the November 11 mediation session. As such, CGE has shared that they intend to begin their strike (work stoppage) tomorrow, November 12.

The university has been bargaining for a contract that both honors the important work of graduate employees and recognizes that as a steward of public funds and student tuition dollars, OSU must meet its obligation to manage resources appropriately to serve the university’s mission.

We are disappointed at this outcome but continue to be open to additional bargaining sessions in order to reach a sustainable contract with CGE.

For reference, the latest package proposal the university shared with CGE was presented as a time-limited offer that expires at 5 pm on Tuesday, and included:

• An increase of minimum salaries in year one by 10%, translating to an hourly wage of $27.93 and an additional 2% increase to the minimum salaries in years three and four, for a 14% cumulative increase to salary minimums over the term of the agreement.
• Under a four-year contract for continuing graduate assistants, this offer would also provide a 4% salary increase in year one; a 3% salary increase in years two and three, and a 4% salary increase in year four, for a compounded 14.75% increase for returning graduate assistant salaries.
• An increase for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) and/or visa reimbursement to $700 and increase DACA reimbursement to $600.
• An increase of nearly 17% in the annual hardship fund to $150,000 from the current $125,000.
• All other graduate employee benefits including premium healthcare plans, tuition, and fee remission.

As we move forward, we ask that everyone remain committed to preserving the collegial culture that exists among faculty, staff, and students throughout the Oregon State University community, and prioritize safety and our shared commitment to student learning and research.

As a reminder, during a strike:

• All non-CGE represented employees are expected to perform their job duties.
• Students will be expected to attend classes.
• By law, OSU employees represented by CGE are not required to join in a strike or to participate in a picket line. It is up to each graduate employee to decide whether or not to strike. The union is prohibited from using intimidation to coerce CGE members into joining a strike, and the university is not permitted to make promises to graduate employees to encourage them not to strike or to threaten those who do strike.
• Picketing is likely to occur at various locations. The practice of picketing is legally allowed, and picketers may at times carry signs, make speeches, hand out information, engage in conversations, among other expressive activities per OSU’s Freedom of Speech and Expression Standard.
• Graduate employees will not be paid during the time that they are on strike and are unable to use any form of paid leave while engaging in strike activities.

We will continue to provide additional updates as they are available. Please feel free to review the FAQ page or visit the Graduate Assistants Bargaining website for additional updates.

Sincerely,

Edward Feser, Provost and Executive Vice President