Oregon Tech pushes forward with negotiations despite minimal response from the faculty union

Oregon Tech Faculty Union make unrealistic demands in face of national trends

The following is a press release from the Oregon Institute of Technology.

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Oregon Tech continued negotiations with its striking faculty union Sunday with an intent to reach agreement. Thus far the faculty union has only asked questions regarding workload, to which Oregon Tech has provided response, and the union has not shared a substantive response to address the outstanding workload proposals.

Oregon Tech provided a package settlement proposal to the union at around 9:45 p.m. Friday night.

While the Oregon Tech negotiation team dedicated all day Saturday to negotiate, the faculty union failed to show up at the table or provide responses to the Oregon Tech proposals. As of 1 p.m. Sunday, May 2, 2021 the university still had not received a response to its package settlement proposal.

Oregon Tech continues to provide quick turnaround responses to Faculty Union proposals but thus far has not seen the faculty union express the same sense of urgency to come to a contract agreement.

Unfortunately, it has become more and more apparent that the faculty union is not concerned about the Oregon Tech students and is putting self-interest ahead of students. This pattern started when the faculty union went on strike, was furthered exposed when students found that some faculty members had taken down their coursework, with the effect of making it difficult for interim professors to step in and carry on with course instruction.

Additionally, family members of students are responding with their displeasure with the faculty union striking during a pandemic. One parent shared, “As most should know, COVID has caused what should be an amazing, exciting experience for a student through senior high school graduation through their freshmen year at a university to become a miserable, disappointing experience. My husband and I are struggling to understand why these professors are putting themselves ahead of what is best for these students especially considering the environment these students have had to work through to continue their education and seek their goals. These striking professors should be ashamed of their behavior and complete lack of regard for their students …“

Oregon Tech is unwaveringly pursuing a comprehensive and fair contract but thus far it is not apparent the faculty union shares this same objective. Oregon Tech will continue to provide education services to our students to the best of our abilities and apologize for any inconvenience caused by this faculty union action.