GTFF, The Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation, gathered today in formal funeral attire to “eulogize” UO’s public promise to fair wages and treatment of graduate employees. (Lulu Devoulin/ Emerald)
On Nov. 6, members of the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation approved a strike with a 97% vote. Negotiations with the University of Oregon regarding ongoing contract agreements have come to a deadlock.
Out of the 1,019 members of the union who voted in the authorization of a strike vote, 986 voters chose “yes.” The results of the strike authorization is considered “a mandate,” Matt McIntosh, GTTF’s vice president of organization, said.
Additionally, graduate employees are willing to carry out a commitment of withholding their labor if they go on strike. Various strike pledges were signed by over 900 GEs declaring this commitment.
“Our members have shown that they’re ready to win a historic contract, whatever the cost,” McIntosh said in GTFF’s statement.
McIntosh expressed his support for the authorization of the strike at all costs.
On Oct. 27, an electronic vote for strike authorization was launched following the declaration of impasse of the next three-year contract with UO. The vote closed on Nov. 3.
90% of GTFF members participated in the vote, according to GTTF’s statement.
The union workers have been negotiating with the UO administration since March for an increase in wages and better working conditions. In addition, the union is asking for support for international GEs and GEs who are caregivers.
“We can’t live like this. UO must bring us fair wages that reflect the value of GE labor and years of dramatic increases to the local cost of living,” GTFF President Leslie Selcer said in the statement.
Selcer stands with the GEs who are demanding fair wages to meet the cost of living in Eugene. Inflation has increased a demand for better pay.
On average, a GE earns less than $2,000 per month and they will continue to if negotiations with the UO are not resolved.
GTTF is in the second week of the 30-day cooling-off period. In roughly two weeks, union members can go on strike or the UO administration can strike a contract with the union.
“This vote sends a very clear message that our members are not willing to tolerate the financial precarity that UO wants to perpetuate for another three-year contract,” Selcer said.
