Dear colleagues,
As you know, the University of Oregon is currently negotiating with the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation (GTFF), the union that represents graduate student employees (GEs), and the UO is planning for the possibility of a labor strike. This afternoon, the union issued a strike notice to the university, which projects a GTFF strike starting on Wednesday, January 17. University administrators managing academic and research operations are preparing for the strike.
The university’s bargaining team will continue making itself available to meet with the GTFF bargaining team and the state mediator in its ongoing effort to reach agreement. The next scheduled mediation session is January 11. We will provide information and updates to the UO community as the situation develops.
University administrators recognize that a labor strike is disruptive to the UO community. Our top priorities are to bargain in good faith to reach agreement while also maintaining our teaching and research operations. Your flexibility and patience as we navigate this situation together are greatly appreciated.
UO is a public institution of higher education with the responsibility of providing the best education possible for its students, despite a work stoppage. Oregon law makes it clear that only members of the designated bargaining unit are permitted to take part in the strike and that those not represented by the GTFF are prohibited from striking. This means you are expected to continue your duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Academic units and individual research groups are developing coverage plans for work that GEs perform. Consult your supervisor for more information and refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for researchers and instructors.
We respect the right of GEs to conduct a legal strike and hope we can reach a fair and equitable agreement quickly.
Best regards,
Chris Meade
Director of Employee and Labor Relations
