Ominous signs from the OUS negotiating table

University Clinical Services Specialist James Jacobson, who has held leadership positions in the SEIU, sent out this message today. Based on this, I would surmise that negotiations between the parties are not going well. If the SEIU strikes, it will do so no later than Sept. 29, which also happens to be the first day of classes for fall term. Read more about the history of this dispute here and here.

Co-workers & friends,

The contract bargaining/ mediation for Higher Education workers at 7
Oregon campuses is deadlocked, but continues today at Portland State
University.  As of the end of mediation meetings yesterday, there was
little movement towards a fair and respectful contract.

Would you please join me in sending a FAX or email to Chancellor
Pernsteiner’s office at U of O?
The FAX number is:  346-5764.

Please use your own words in your fax, phone or email message to the
Chancellor’s office.  Feel free to use my message (below) as a guide.
Also could you send me a note to let me know if you were able to send
a fax, email, or phone message today to Chancellor George Pernsteiner!

The Chancellor’s phone message line is: 346-5703
Email address is:  george_pernsteiner@ous.edu

See the on-line petition, which is for everyone to sign…friends,
students, faculty, neighbors, etc.  Please send the link to everyone
you know!

http://www.seiu503.org/state/ous/OUSpetition2009/Default.aspx

Thanks for doing all you can to help settle a fair, equitable and
respectful contract such as the agreement that other state workers
(Dept. of Administrative Services) successfully negotiated.
YOUR involvement will make the difference!

James Jacobson

Attached to it was this message:

Chancellor George Pernsteiner:

Support staff laboring at the 7 Oregon University campuses
deserve respect, fairness and equal treatment with other state
employees (DAS-Dept. of Administrative Services).

In the 12 years I have worked at UO, I cannot remember being so
disrespectfully abused during the bargaining process.

We will not accept your office’s insulting contract language for
24 unpaid days PLUS your absurd Article 51 language changes calling
for unlimited unpaid days at the will of administrators.

Workers are mad as the dickens and have begun talking seriously
about preparations for a strike action in September.

How would it look to the parents of students and taxpayers if you
are responsible for a system-wide shutdown of the campuses!

This is a serious labor dispute that you need to solve immediately by:

–withdrawal of the nonsensical proposed changes in Article 51

–agreeing to equal treatment of OUS workers compared to DAS employees
(We want the same tentative agreement to vote on including 10-12-14
unpaid days, a step raise in the 2nd year, and a 10th step increase
near the end of the contract.)

–include the PSU student recycling workers in the contract settlement

–An earnest commitment for shared economic sacrifices among ALL
employees in OUS including managers, administrators and other
non-classified staff.  We are willing to accept our share of the
economic burden, but NOT a disproportionate load.

Please come to your senses and settle this contract immediately with
fair and respectful language that includes parity with the DAS
tentative agreement.

Sincerely,

James Jacobson