On Jan. 27, members of the University of Oregon Student Workers Union voted to proceed with a strike authorization should progress not be made in ongoing mediation with UO administration.
The Daily Emerald has provided insight into what a potential student workers strike would mean for students.
What are UOSW and UO currently bargaining for, and what are the sticking points?
UOSW and UO administration began bargaining for a new labor contract in May 2024 and are currently in the mediation phase of the process. Proposals for the new contract address pay, discrimination and healthcare, among other things.
According to Izzie Marshall, a student worker in the Health Services on campus and member of the UOSW bargaining team, several sticking points include fair and timely compensation as well as grievances and arbitration articles.
Grievance and arbitration allow employees to file grievances against employers if they feel that a part of their contract is violated, a third party then helps investigate and resolve the dispute.
Fair and timely wage compensation refers to fair payment that reflects the work being performed and delivered in a timely manner. Current UO student workers are paid between $14.20 to $18.00 per hour, according to the 2023 to 2024 Student Wage Rate. The proposal from UOSW would increase student wages to a minimum of $24 per hour.
“These are basic protections that student workers deserve, and I hope that our fellow students (and) our fellow community members stand with,” Marshall said.
Where is UOSW and UO administration currently in the bargaining process, and what is the most recent update?
While in mediation, UOSW and UO are presenting and negotiating proposals. The process is supervised and facilitated by a state-appointed mediator.
Eight tentative agreements have been reached between UOSW and UO with 54 current proposals and counter proposals still on the table, according to the UOSW list of proposals.
Most recently, according to Marshall, the two sides came to a tentative agreement on Feb. 19 on the article surrounding discipline and discharge, which included just cause.
Discipline and discharge means that an employer cannot punish or fire an employee without “just cause” or adequate reason to do so.
Marshall and UOSW consider this agreement to be a “huge win” for the union.
Should UOSW go on strike, when could it potentially begin?
The exact timeline for a potential strike is still unknown and something both sides are hoping to avoid.
“It’s all up in the air, and we are wanting to continue to bargain in earnest with the university as long as the university is showing they’re also willing to bargain in earnest as well. The earliest that our union members could go on strike is early spring term, but again, it’s something that our members have to decide to do and vote to authorize,” Marshall said.
There are several steps in the bargaining process, which include bargaining, mediation and a 30-day cool-down period.
In an email statement to the Emerald, UO spokesperson Eric Howald said of the ongoing negotiations, “We value our student employees and their meaningful contribution to the university’s operations. We are committed to the negotiations with them and believe, in the end, we will come together for a good contract to provide consistency and guidance to students and supervisors.”
How long could a potential strike last?
According to Marshall, a strike would last until an agreement is made between the university and the union.
“The strike would last until an agreement is made. If the university agrees to a fair contract with us and then the agreement is ratified by our members, (the strike would end),” Marshall said.
Are union members doing anything to prepare students for a potential strike?
“We are doing a lot of organizing on the ground. We recently held our big open membership meeting (and) hundreds of student workers agreed to hold a strike authorization vote if necessary. Right now, hundreds of student workers are talking to each other to pledge to vote in the strike authorization vote, if needed, and to strike, if needed,” Marshall said.
A strike authorization is a vote that gives bargaining members the ability to call a strike.
How will everyday students be impacted by a potential strike?
According to Marshall, a strike is a last resort if the university does not engage with the union for a fair contract; but should it happen, adequate notice and preparation time would be given by the union beforehand.
“The bottom line for us is that the goal is not to strike. The goal is to win a fair contract,” Marshall said. “It comes down to how the university works with us, and how they keep negotiating with us; and we hope that our fellow community members and students stand with us if we strike because these are for basic protections that we’re fighting for.”
Is the university expected to hire “scabs”?
A “scab” is a student hired by the university to take the place of a striking student worker or union member.
“It’s entirely possible that the university will try to hire students to try and replace student workers if we go on strike. If that happens, then everybody will get a bad deal… The thing is, we’re fighting for a contract that will create better working conditions, not just for student workers working now but for the future and beyond,” Marshall said.
Where on campus do students work?
According to Marshall, there are 60 different departments of student workers across campus, ranging from dining halls to the museum.
“We’re everywhere on campus,” Marshall said. According to Marshall, places students work include, but are not limited to:
- Resident assistants
- People who help run programs in the EMU
- Tutors
- Teaching assistants
- Research assistants
- Undergraduate students working for an academic department on campus
- Students who work at the Rec Center
- Childcare
- Health services
- Campus planning
- Facility management
- The Education Department
- Enrollment
- The Honors College
- Housing
- Journalism
- The museum
- Law
“Resident assistants, people who help run programs in the EMU, tutors, teaching assistants, research assistants, undergraduate students working for an academic department on campus, rec workers, some student workers work in childcare, health services, campus planning, facility management, the Education Department, enrollment, the Honors College, housing, journalism, the museum (and) law. We’re everywhere on campus,” Marshall said.
Union members can cast their ballots in the strike authorization vote, which opens March 3 and runs through March 14, according to a post on Instagram.
Marshall said they hope students and community members can understand why UOSW is fighting for a fair contract and why a potential strike could happen.
