Employees Rally at Portland State University as Strike Preparations Continue
Our Union’s higher ed bargaining team has been working hard to reach a fair settlement and avoid going on strike Monday, but university administrators continue to provide disrespectful offers that, if agreed to would have workers falling further behind, losing purchasing power each year of the contract. On Monday, the bargaining team was met by hundreds of classified staff, faculty, students, and Oregon political leaders, rallying in support of the bargaining team and a fair contract.
“I think what management is doing to us is very unfair, how they are treating all the workers. We deserve so much better and I’m not afraid to strike at all,” says Thuy Huyen, who works in Portland State University’s accounting department. “We all need to stand up to fight for higher wages and step increases, and to protect our healthcare and retirement. That’s why it’s so important to strike if they don’t offer us a fair contract.”
The crowd rallied with the bargaining team and marched into PSU’s newly finished administrative building, raising the issues of low wages, difficult working conditions, and disrespect from management.
“I am going on strike because I got a degree from this university and they won’t give me a fair contract,” says Grace Piper, who works at Portland State University. “So I’m really disappointed that they don’t value the degree that they gave me enough to give me a living wage.”
The classified staff were joined by students and political leaders from around the state, including state representatives who are sticking with working people as bargaining heats up. After a battle over school funding this past year, and a $100 million increase in revenue to higher education, the administration should be taking care of their students and staff before they give themselves large raises.
“I’m here to stand in support of SEIU members who are here arguing that they should be treated fairly, should receive cost of living increases that keep up with inflation,” says Representative Karin Power (House District 41). “So they too can provide a healthy life for their family and kids. It is only fair that we as legislators show up here for them so they know that we stand in solidarity with them.”
This was the first opportunity for many new and returning students to hear about the difficulties the staff that serve them have been facing, and how workers have become united in their willingness to strike for a fair contract. On Thursday, September 26th, employees and student activists returned to the Portland State campus to show strength as the university unveiled its remodel of Neuberger Hall. While the university is pouring money into building changes, it is important that students and classified staff are also a part of these budgetary equations.
“Year after year, our workers have been taking contracts that are lower than the cost of living has been going up,” said bargaining chair Rob Fullmer, and IT professional at Portland State. “This year we are not going to do that, that is why you are surrounded by people holding signs talking about being ready to strike. We do not want to strike, we want a fair contract, and we are going to fight for it.”