The Universities’ Bargaining Team firmly believes in transparent negotiations. We will post our summaries of the negotiations along with occasional links to proposals or tentative agreements within approximately one week from the last day of the negotiations session. Hopefully our posts will have the effect of opening negotiations to everyone.
Below is the schedule of negotiations that the parties have agreed to so far and summaries of the negotiation sessions that have already occurred. Please check back here for summaries of future negotiation sessions.
Schedule:
February 12 & 13: University of Oregon (Eugene)
March 5 & 6: Western Oregon University (Monmouth)
March 19 & 20: Portland State University (Portland)
March 30 & 31: Oregon State University (Corvallis)
April 23 & 24: Oregon State University (Bend)
May 14 & 15: University of Oregon (Eugene)
May 28 & 29: Southern Oregon University (Ashland)
February 12 & 13:
Contract negotiations between the Oregon Public Universities (OPUs) and classified staff represented by SEIU (Union) began with both teams meeting on Feb. 12 and 13 at the University of Oregon. The session largely consisted of the parties presenting their opening statements, working to finalize Ground Rules, and each party presenting two contract proposals.
At the beginning of the negotiations, the parties presented their opening statements with the OPUs going first. The Universities’ opening statement described the 2026 negotiations occurring within a period of significant financial strain, citing declining enrollment driven by the national “enrollment cliff,” reduced state funding per student, increased legislative oversight, and structural budget gaps occurring within each university. The Universities noted rising benefit costs — particularly retirement expenses – are growing faster than wages. The Universities also noted Southern Oregon University’s recent declaration of financial exigency as evidence of the seriousness of current fiscal conditions.
The Universities acknowledged the Union’s priorities around wages, benefits, workload protections, and union access, but also emphasized that financial constraints limit what can sustainably commit to. As for their own goals during these negotiations, the Universities said they would focus on maintaining operational flexibility, preserving strong healthcare and retirement benefits, adapting to financial and technological changes, ensuring long-term sustainability, and providing for an affordable education for students.
SEIU’s opening statement framed the negotiations within a period of significant uncertainty for higher education, citing factors such as declining enrollment, reduced funding, and broader economic pressures affecting campuses and workers. While acknowledging that universities face real financial challenges, the Union emphasized that classified staff should not be expected to shoulder disproportionate burdens nor be scapegoated while the universities address budget challenges.
SEIU stated that classified employees and union labor strengthen campuses and local communities and said that classified staff are essential to sustaining enrollment and achieving student success. The Union stated it remains open to creative, long-term solutions and engagement with the Universities, the HECC, Legislators, and the Governor, , but made clear that its approach will depend on whether the Universities view SEIU as a genuine partner rather than a budget line item.
After opening statements, the parties worked to finalize Ground Rules. Largely the same as in previous years, the Ground Rules for these negotiations will allow observers to attend either in person or virtually. However, either party can move to have a bargaining session closed to virtual observers. However, each bargaining session will remain open to virtual observers for opening statements (already presented on Feb. 12), passage of initial proposals, and selective salary presentations. The intent of both parties is that the majority of all negotiation sessions will be open to virtual observing.
Finally, the OPUs passed their initial proposals on Personnel Records and Sick Leave. In its proposal on Personnel Records, the OPUs asked to establish a forty-five (45) calendar day period for employee inspection of personnel and supervisory files upon reasonable notice, in keeping with state law. The OPUs also proposed to retain disciplinary materials for a minimum of three (3) years with removal of materials upon written employee request if no recurrence of the discipline occurs, and that there is a presumption that a supervisory file is being kept without having the supervisor first notifying the employee.
The OPUs Sick Leave proposal asked to have sick leave usage align with applicable Oregon sick leave laws and university leave request procedures, and that a university may request a doctor’s note after an employee is on sick leave for three consecutive days. The OPUs also sought to apply the language found in state and federal family medical leave laws.
The Union proposed changes to Temporary Appointments and the Union Rights article. For Temporary Appointments, the Union requested that any department using a temporary position for more than nine continuous months must either demonstrate the end of this appointment or hire the temporary employee as a permanent classified employee. The Union also seeks to have the total period of a temporary appointment not exceed nine months.
For Union Rights, the Union seeks to strengthen new employee orientation language to include a 30-minute Union presentation within 30 days of hire. The Union asks that this meeting be mandatory for newly represented employees. The Union also proposed that a union steward, who is an employee of the university, accompany on paid time a union representative, who is not an employee of the university, when the representative needs access to a building that is only accessible to employees.
The parties will continue negotiations on Thursday, March 5, and Friday, March 6, at Western Oregon University.
March 5 & 6:
March 19 & 20
March 30 & 31:
April 23 & 24:
May 14 & 15:
May 28 & 29:
