By TIFFANY CAMHI/Oregon Public Broadcasting
Hundreds of Oregon State University’s unionized graduate student employees are gearing up for a possible strike in the coming weeks.
Last week, 93% of voting members represented by OSU’s Coalition of Graduate Employees union said yes to authorizing a strike. About 90% of the union’s members participated in the strike authorization vote, according to the union.
On Saturday the union sent a 10-day notice of its intent to strike. Such notices are required before the union can legally take to the picket lines. A CGE strike could occur as early as Nov. 12. Two more negotiations are scheduled before Nov. 12.
The union represents more than 1,700 OSU graduate employees, including teaching and research assistants. CGE is an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers.
The action comes after more than a year of difficult contract negotiations between the union and OSU, according to CGE. Bargaining first began more than a year ago, in late August 2023. Little progress has been made since then, said union president Austin Bosgraaf.
“The University’s team has, seemingly, taken on this strategy of slowing down the process and making very small movements,” said Bosgraff. “It’s been a lot of stonewalling over the course of the year at these bargaining sessions.”
CGE’s contract expired on June 30. The union and OSU declared an impasse in September and have been in mediation since early last month.
OSU spokesperson Lanesha Reagan said the university hopes it can reach an agreement with the union before a strike could occur.
“Oregon State University continues to work hard to address issues raised by the Coalition of Graduate Employees through continuing discussions and remains committed to work toward a contract that is sustainable and honors the important work of graduate employees,” said Reagan in an emailed statement. “In the event that the CGE chooses to strike, the university will be prepared to provide continuity to the educational mission of the institution.”
A strike of OSU’s graduate workers could have a big impact on the university’s day-to-day teaching operations. The union said many of its members teach required undergraduate courses in several of the university’s schools.
Wages are a big sticking point between the two parties. CGE is currently asking for a 45% salary increase for its lowest-paid workers over the life of its next contract, which would raise the minimum monthly wage by about $800 to $2,549. OSU has offered an 8% increase.
Disputes over salary are not the only issue. OSU and CGE disagree on a university proposal that looks to extend the contract length by a year. CGE’s current and past contracts lasted four years, with options to renegotiate wages and other terms, every two years.
“This is something that the university is trying to take from us,” said Bosgraaf. “We see this as a fundamental weakening of our power as a union and so we are not standing for that.”
CGE is one of four unions at OSU. The faculty union, United Academics at Oregon State University, is simultaneously negotiating a new contract with the university. Its contract also expired June 30.
- This story originally appeared Nov. 1, 2024 on Oregon Public Broadcasting.