The University of Oregon and the United Academics faculty union have reached agreement on a memorandum of understanding, which has been ratified by a vote of UA members.

The agreement extends the current collective bargaining agreement by one year to June 30, 2021, and provides a one-year extension of the career faculty contracts that renew in May.

“We appreciate our faculty and the union for voting to support this agreement and for their partnership throughout this process,” said Missy Matella, senior director of employee and labor relations.

Bargaining for a new collective bargaining agreement between the university and UA was suspended in March when the university moved to modified operations in response to COVID-19 and the related stay-at-home orders.

“Not only did COVID-19 impact the parties’ bargaining process, it impacted the university’s ability to predict its financial situation as shared in announcements from President Michael Schill,” Matella said. “The parties agreed on a solution that recognizes the significant impact that the potential for decreased state appropriations and tuition, the university’s two biggest sources of revenue, would have on the university’s financial position.”

According to the agreement, the parties will meet over the summer to discuss additional topics such as a possible pay reduction plan, changes to the tenure reduction program and career faculty employment. The formal bargaining process for a new collective bargaining agreement will resume over winter term.

More information and resources are available on the HR website.