Oregon Tech says workload is a sticking point

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

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Oregon Tech and its new faculty union continued bargaining in a day-long session Friday but remained unable to reach a tentative agreement on all outstanding issues.

“The union continues to insist on workload proposals that undermine service to students, result in unfair workload distribution among faculty, and create unpredictable costs for the university,” said Dr. Ken Fincher, Vice President for Institutional Advancement.

In contrast, Oregon Tech’s workload proposal prioritizes students, promotes fairness among faculty, and leads to more predictable budgets. Oregon Tech’s proposal is also similar to workload expectations at other colleges and universities and in other AAUP contracts, and is the status quo as determined by the Employment Relations Board (ERB) in October.

“We believe our package offer represents a significant investment in faculty, especially considering the challenging environment for higher education, generally,” Fincher said. Oregon Tech’s salary offer includes a 13% increase, which includes a 9.5% guaranteed across the board salary increase with the potential for faculty members to earn an additional 3.5% or possibly more based on performance and promotion. The health care offer maintains the current level of healthcare, paying 95% - 97% of costs of the plan(s). Oregon Tech already pays full time 9-month full professors on average 14 percent more salary than comparable institutions—$135,000 a year, when generous health insurance and retirement benefits are included.

Oregon Tech continues to ask the faculty union to consider these offers when 1 in 9 positions in higher education have been eliminated, and when universities and colleges are facing economic uncertainty.

“Just today we learned Rogue Community College may have to close three buildings and lay off 15 staff,” Fincher said. “We are proud of our stability and pleased to be able to make our faculty a fair, sustainable offer in these challenging times.”

Oregon Tech hopes the union recognizes this offer, at this time, is a very sound offer.