SEIU and Oregon public universities reach tentative agreement

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The collective members of the former Oregon University System and the Service Employees International Union 503 have reached a tentative contract agreement following four months of negotiations.

With last week’s tentative agreement, the universities and SEIU completed negotiations earlier than ever before, achieving a goal set during the last bargaining cycle.

“I am delighted that the negotiation process with SEIU reflects a collaborative, open dialogue committed to reaching resolution,” said Nancy Resnick, chief human resources officer and associate vice president. “SEIU employees are key members of our university community, and we look forward to continuing our collegial relationship during future negotiations and discussions regarding employment matters.”

SEIU members conducted four rallies, met with President Michael Schill and university administrators, and advocated for higher education funding with legislators in Salem during the last several months to express the value of their work and their service to students and the university.

“I am proud of the participation and solidarity demonstrated by classified staff and the support we received from the campus community during this negotiation process,” said Theodora Thompson, SEIU 503 president. “We are glad to have a resolution for the next two years and look forward to continuing discussions about hourly wages when negotiating our next contract.”

Negotiations on articles of economics in the current contract were reopened this year with a primary focus on compensation and benefits. A summary of the negotiations that occurred over the last five months is available on the University Shared Services Enterprise website, including terms of the tentative agreement.

If ratified by SEIU membership, the agreement would be in effect through June 30, 2019, and includes:

  • Full steps in the remaining two years of the contract
  • 1 percent cost of living adjustment increases on Oct. 1, 2017, and July 1, 2018
  • Status quo on health care through the 2019 plan year
  • Increases to differentials for shift, high work, hazardous materials and certain nurse classifications
  • Moving the following classifications from and to the new salary ranges: Custodial services coordinator from SR 13 to SR 17, electrician from SR 24T to SR 26, electrical control and systems tech from SR 25T to SR 27, grounds maintenance worker 2 from SR 16 to SR 18, and all ship operations classifications up two salary ranges from current.