As the classified staff at Oregon’s seven state universities prepare to strike, they are continuing to receive insulting offers from the university administrators on the other side of the bargaining table, many of whom make lofty six-figure salaries.
On September 12th, classified staff from around the state came together at Oregon State University to show unity in the face of a refusal by management to negotiate fairly. Almost two hundred university employees, community members, students, and activists from other labor unions rallied in front of the Student Experience Center, where they had lunch and talked about the situation they were in.
“I am ready to strike because we need fair wages,” says Kerry Tipton, an SEIU 503 member who works in recreational sports at OSU. This rally comes after months of difficult negotiations between management and the union’s bargaining team where administrators have not provided an offer that keeps up with the rising cost of living, despite record revenue increases and giving themselves a big raise.
“I’m ready to strike because my rent up goes up $75 next month, but my pay is basically staying the same. If we don’t get a decent contract it is the same as a pay cut to me because everything goes up, but my pay stays the same,” says Deborah Carroll, a library employee at OSU.
The Oregon State University system is a major part of multiple Oregon communities and the state’s economy, which is why the classified staff have had such a massive level of support from other unions, the students they serve, and the communities that surround them.
“I’m here today supporting my colleagues because I truly value everything that they do for this university. They keep it running day in and day out, I could not have been successful without them,” says Darrell Ross, who has been a professor at OSU for twenty-nine years. “I don’t believe that our administration is treating them fairly and respectfully as they should, so I’m here to show much support for them in negotiating a fair and equitable contract.
Students came out in large numbers even though autumn classes have not started, showing their appreciation for the staff that makes their campus run.
“It’s important to be in solidarity because without classified staff this university is going to fall apart,” says Nick Fisher, a graduate student in the Anthropology Department.
After an opening from SEIU 503 Executive Director Melissa Unger, the crowd marched down to the university president Ed Ray’s office where leaders from the bargaining team led the chanting crowds into the building and up five flights of stairs to send a message directly to university leadership. University officials refused to meet in the building and said they would come out, so the crowd was joined by OSU’s Executive Vice President Edward Feser and Mike Green, the Vice President of Finance and Administration.
“We’re fighting for a fair contract. For us, that doesn’t just mean wages that keep up with the rate,” said bargaining chair Rob Fullmer to the two executives as he handed them a large sign that says “Respect” and is signed by bargaining unit members. Fullmer explained that the cost of living increases in previous contracts had not kept up with the rising cost of living, particularly in Oregon’s expensive cities. “We are asking for a contract that respects the work that we do, and we are hoping that you will step up and make sure that happens.
Vice President Feser responded. “We respect the work you do. We are hopeful we arrive at a contract soon. A good contract. So thank you for all you do,” he said.
The university leadership walked out as chants of “fair contract” echoed behind them.
“This university, my unit, or my job, did not give me a sense of community or appreciation, my union did,” said Amanda Granrud, a faculty member at OSU. “It is more clear than ever that you are on the front line of everything in every respect. They are regularly taking raises. What you are asking for is a drop in the bucket. If you go on strike everything grinds to a halt.”
The leadership of the Coalition of Graduate Employees was there to join suit, as well as nurses from a nearby hospital who are going through their own negotiations.
“I support our university staff because they are the workers that keep our community and our beautiful university running,” said Jacqueline Dillon, an Oregon Nurses Association leader who works at Good Samaritan in Corvallis.
The bargaining team will continue to try to settle a fair contract so workers can focus on supporting students. But we will do what it takes to show our value.
“For every person that is out here, there are five people that aren’t. Talk to those people. Tell them this matters. The contract we get is based on their willingness to step up like you have stepped up here today,” said Rob Fullmer, reminding everyone of the work still to be done.