Members of SEIU Local 503, along with supporters from across the state that included students, staff and faculty from the University of Oregon, sat in the reception area of the president’s office in Johnson Hall Wednesday afternoon.
“You’re one paycheck away from being homeless,” one supporter said during a break in the chanting.
After a round of chants in support of the classified employees strike scheduled for Sept. 30, supporters from the crowd spoke up.
“This is an environment we all create together,” said one faculty member. “We’ve gotta make sure you get a living wage.”
“This university can afford it, this state can afford it,” another faculty member said. “We’ve all gotta fight this fight.”
Members of the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation, a union composed of graduate employees at the UO, also showed up in support of the classified staff, chanting and holding signs as the sit-in went on.
SEIU members voted Sept. 9, 10 and 11 to authorize the strike. The UO chapter held its voting session in Columbia 150.