The University of Oregon’s student workers union has reached a tentative deal on its first contract, and agreed to end its strike.
The resolution came Wednesday night, more than a week after workers first hit the picket lines. Izzie Marshall, a member of the union’s bargaining team, said the resulting contract would be a "game changer."
“This is a landmark moment in higher education labor history," said Marshall, "because it's setting the standard for what undergraduate student worker contracts at a public university will look like."
According to Marshall, the deal means raises for all workers, with a lowest starting wage of $16 per hour. That's nearly a dollar more than what the minimum wage in Eugene will increase to this summer—although it's several dollars less than a previous offer from the union.
Marshall said the union also won sick pay accrual for work study jobs, and the option for employees to access paychecks early during personal emergencies.
Meanwhile, Marshall said current residence hall assistants will get to keep their jobs next year, even as UO prepares to split their roles into two positions.
And they said the union also secured the ability for neutral third-parties to review workplace harassment complaints.
"For the first time, student workers will have a legally enforceable grievance and arbitration process," said Marshall, "which will hold the university accountable."
In a letter to the community Thursday, UO Vice Presidents Angela Lauer Chong and Mark Schmelz thanked the public for their patience during the bargaining process.
"We believe this tentative agreement supports student employees and establishes a new framework across the university to ensure consistency in the employment experience for student workers," the VPs wrote.
The deal doesn't end all of the disputes between the parties. UO still plans to charge residence hall assistants for housing costs during the strike, since room and board are one of the benefits of their jobs.
In an email to KLCC, UO spokesperson Eric Howald said RAs will receive a prorated charge based on how many days they weren't working. Marshall argued this move is retaliation.
Striking employees are required to return to work by Friday. Meanwhile, union members will begin voting on whether to ratify the agreement—and the vote will remain open until next Wednesday.
Marshall said they were proud of the union for holding this strike. They believe the move forced the university to take its student workers more seriously.
"I feel very empowered from my time on the picket line over these last 10 days," said Marshall. "And I know that student workers are ecstatic and excited to keep fighting."
