Oregon Tech Faculty strike; Admin respond
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Oregon Tech Faculty went on strike Monday morning demanding fair wages. secure benefits and a clearly defined workload. April 26, 2021. (Image, Brian Gailey / Klamath Falls News.)
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Faculty organized through Oregon Tech - American Association of University Professors (OT-AAUP) went on strike at the Oregon Institute of Technology Monday, initiating a historic action to demand fair wages, secure benefits, and reasonable & clearly defined workload.
“We organized our union in record time and we’re the first faculty ever to go on strike in Oregon,” said Mark Clark, professor of history and OT-AAUP past president. “I hope Oregon Tech’s senior administration is prepared to negotiate a similarly historic contract.”
Picket lines now reside in front of Oregon Tech’s campuses in Klamath Falls and Wilsonville, Oregon, and an informational demonstration is taking place in Salem at the Oregon Tech Dental Hygiene Clinic. An online picket live stream is available at OT-AAUP’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/oregontechaaup/.
Oregon Tech faculty first organized in 2018 over an ongoing struggle to secure fairer labor practices. Bargaining of their first contract began in fall 2019 and continued for over 550 grueling days without reaching a contract.
Oregon Tech’s senior administration declared impasse on March 10, 2021, indicating they felt negotiations with the union were no longer making progress. Their final offer was presented to faculty on March 17, and OT-AAUP also presented a final offer. Final offers were followed by a mandatory 30-day cooling off period during which negotiations continued. After that period ended, the administration was permitted to unilaterally implement their final offer, and faculty members were permitted to strike. 92% of voting OT-AAUP members voted to authorize a strike if a fair contract could not be agreed upon.
The last day of the cooling off period was April 17, but the union gave senior administration until April 26 to reach an agreement. Despite that, Oregon Tech’s senior administration was not able to agree to a fair deal for the teachers who make their university run.
Both sides bargained until early morning hours Saturday, the union made, what they call a “win-win offer” in their ongoing negotiation of a historic first contract.
OT-AAUP’s most recent offer includes a path to adjust salaries for equity, and, if inequities have been addressed, puts the remaining allocated funds into a merit pool.
“This is a true win-win package,” said Terri Torres, Professor of Mathematics and Statistics. “Let's keep our faculty in the classroom and labs and truly serve our students.”
“Our package not only satisfies the concerns of Oregon Tech, it aligns with values and pillars set forth in the President's Strategic Plan with a commitment to the community and institutional excellence that will ultimately lead to student success,” said Andria Fultz, member of the OT-AAUP Executive Committee and associate professor in the Communication Department.
OT-AAUP’s package uses senior administration’s proposed 45 workload hour model, but with clear definitions for non-instructional workload. Furthermore, benefits would be served by PEBB at the 95/5 employer/employee contribution levels and could only be changed if all employees at the university also do so.
Negotiations continued through the weekend but no deal was reached, triggering a strike at 6:00 AM Monday morning. Senior administration rejected OT-AAUP’s good faith offer, leaving the union with no other recourse but to strike.
After 555 days of negotiations, OT-AAUP hopes to hear a positive response from the senior administration’s bargaining team soon.
Bargaining will continue through the strike until an agreement is reached.
Administration response
Oregon Institute of Technology will proceed with classes as OT-AAUP faculty voluntarily strike.
“While it’s disappointing some faculty have chosen to walk away from their classes despite a generous offer from Oregon Tech, the University is prepared to continue operations with minimal disruption to classes or services,” said Oregon Tech in a press release.
Oregon Tech believes its salary offer, with the potential for faculty members to earn a 13% salary increase over the term of the contract, possibly more based on performance and promotion, is an excellent offer. This figure includes a 9.5% salary increase over the same time period.
This offer is made during a time of economic uncertainty and when many colleges and universities are slashing positions, dropping programs, with some closing altogether.
Oregon Tech offers to maintain the current level of healthcare whereby 95% - 97% costs of the plan(s) are paid for by the university. The university sees this as another major investment into our faculty and their well-being.
All parties agree this is a very generous compensation plan, one that will attract and retain world-class talent.
Oregon Tech’s workload proposal is the workload status quo as determined by the Employment Relations Board (ERB) in October. These are workload expectations that are also found at other colleges and universities. Oregon Tech should be no different in its expectations.
Oregon Tech continues to ask the Faculty Union to consider these offers for what they are – exceptional. At this time when 1 in 9 positions in higher education has been eliminated, and when universities and colleges are facing economic uncertainty, it is prudent for Oregon Tech Faculty to value an institution that has made such an offer, and work diligently to conclude negotiations. While Oregon Tech sincerely seeks to avoid a faculty strike, should the faculty choose to walk out of their classes, Oregon Tech will shoulder the burden, will continue serving our students, and will carry forward with our mission.
In an email to students, Dean of Students Dr. Erin Foley said classes will be covered by full-time faculty who have chosen not to go on strike, part-time faculty, and other qualified instructors.
Students should continue to attend classes, unless notified otherwise by their department chair, and should continue their assigned work.
“We are committed to ensuring that instruction proceeds without interruption and that our students are given the opportunity to continue to pursue their academic goals,” President Naganathan said. “We remain optimistic that an agreement can be reached and remain committed to the collective bargaining process.”