(The Center Square) – Representatives from Oregon’s seven public universities and the SEIU Local 503 reached a tentative agreement in contract negotiations on Tuesday this week.
It comes a few days after SEIU 503 declared an impasse in the negotiations.
The deal includes a one-time $1,500 payment for university classified staff this spring, a 15% cost of living adjustment over the next two years, and retaining language in the union contract, making it more difficult for the schools to contract out union jobs, according to a statement from the union.
“We are very pleased that agreement has been reached,” Steve Clark, a spokesman for the universities, told KTVZ. “This agreement continues a long and successful history of the university and classified employees reaching resolution in contract bargaining.”
“Classified employees working at Oregon’s seven universities contribute significantly to student success and the mission of each university,” he added. “In bargaining with classified employees, we sought to appropriately recognize classified employees and their service, while being financially prudent and seeking to limit the impact of cost increases on student tuition.”
SEIU 503 members must ratify the contract with a vote before it can take effect.
The union represents classified employees at Eastern Oregon University, Oregon Institute of Technology, Oregon State University, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University, the University of Oregon, and Western Oregon University, plus nearly 40 employees at OSU-Cascades in Bend, Oregon.
