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Tarek Anthony

SEIU Director of Region 2 Johnny Earl Johnny Earl leads chants outside the steps of Johnson Hall amid ongoing bargaining between the union and universities across Oregon on May 15, 2026. (Tarek Anthony/Emerald)

Service Employees International Union Local 503 held a rally May 15 ahead of upcoming bargaining sessions with the university.

The rally came ahead of bargaining sessions at the University of Oregon over the coming days in response to an “economic offer” proposed by UO administration following a campuswide message May 14 regarding $65 million in budget cuts.

UO will enact budget cuts over the next several years due to lower-than-expected projections for out-of-state tuition revenue. In a statement, UO President Karl Scholz said the university would implement a pay and hiring freeze effective immediately.

SEIU President Jennifer Smith said that amid a rising cost of living, a wage freeze would contribute to a declining quality of life for workers.

“Housing prices haven’t dropped, gas prices are going up, food costs are going up and we can foresee them all going up,” Smith said. “Our quality of life is going down, our buying power is going down and our ability to absorb the penalties. So they’re asking us to bear the brunt of their management.”

Approximately 150 people attended the rally at the Erb Memorial Union amphitheater. Speakers called on the union to push back against the proposed measures and urged the university to find alternative ways to manage the budget shortfall.

“They’re balancing the budget on the backs of the folks who make this campus work,” lead bargaining member Rieley Umphress said. “You’re not the ones who decide to build a new building instead of investing in staff.”

SEIU Local 503 represents classified staff across Oregon’s seven public universities. Members work in positions including library technicians, systems analysts, food service staff, custodial staff and office specialists.

“We’re fighting for education that is accessible, affordable and worth the promise made to each and every one of us by the state of Oregon,” Johnny Earl, SEIU director of Region 2, which includes Lane County, said. “And today, we stand fighting for our livelihood. Are you ready to fight for your livelihood?”

Rally participants later moved to Johnson Hall, where they continued chanting on the steps before marching through the building and returning to the amphitheater.

Bargaining sessions between SEIU and UO are scheduled to continue over the next two days, according to Smith.