The Faculty Union at the University of Oregon has tentatively agreed to a new 3-year contract. A ratification vote is set for October.
The deal includes a 3 and a half percent increase in cost of living raises over the next three years. This is the second contract negotiated by United Academics. Sociology Professor Michael Dreiling is President of the 18-hundred member union. He says before the union formed in 2013, raises for faculty were inconsistent.
Dreiling: "So 5 years of stability in raises produces a sense, I think, of the University's investing in faculty and is going to do so consistently and that that raises the bar for academic expectations at the University of Oregon."
Classified workers at all seven Oregon public universities are negotiating for a new contract. They've reached an impasse over pay raises. Dreiling hopes the administration will settle with classified staff.
Dreiling: "And they deserve a fair and just raise increase. They are the lowest paid employees at the University of Oregon. They haven't seen the kind of respect for the hard work they do. And if they can do that, the University of Oregon is poised for some very good years ahead."
Classified staff is scheduled to resume contract negotiations early in September.
