We all recognize that we are living in increasingly challenging times. Bargaining is rarely a pleasant process, but the upheaval and chaos in our federal government has created a context that we had not contemplated a few months ago, let alone when we began the bargaining process.
At the same time, we continue to make amazing strides collectively in this fight for a fair contract. We have expanded our collective power, faculty have become activated and come together to engage with our union at unprecedented levels, and we have secured changes that will improve transparency and strengthen shared governance at the University of Oregon. Many advances are incremental gains, but such is the nature of bargaining.
Salary remains our primary sticking point, of course. During mediation we have exchanged and discussed many proposals and ideas - some have been confidential, while others have been public. We want to share the public proposal we presented on Friday, which included the following raise package:
Tenure related:
- Year 1: 6.75% Across-the-board
- Year 2: 4% Across-the-board; 2% External Equity
- Year 3: 2.5% Across-the-board; 4% Merit
Career:
- Year 1: 6.75% Across-the-board
- Year 2: 4% Across-the-board; 2% Equity Study
- Year 3: 2.5% Across-the-board; 4% Merit
Postdocs:
- Year 1: 3% minimum Across-the-board
- Year 2: 3% minimum Across-the-board
- Year 3: 3% minimum Across-the-board
All Others:
- Year 1: 6.75% Across-the-board
- Year 2: 6% Across-the-board
- Year 3: 6.5% Across-the-board
We also continue to discuss floors and the 90 percent pay differential between them and Protem salaries.
The administration’s most recent public proposal again offers raises of 4% / 3% / 3%, with the last two years being merit pools. In confidential sessions, we have been able to have some productive discussions on the kinds of allocations (merit versus equity or ATB), and potential ways to increase the amount of funds available for the contract.
Your bargaining team is doing everything we can to reach an agreement and that is what our most recent public offer shows. We would like to be able to partner with the administration to fight back against the very real threats to higher education in the U.S., but first we must settle a contract that is fair and reflects the value that our faculty contribute to this institution.