News & Updates

Not in the know about this bargaining cycle? Confused about the terminology being thrown around? Unsure of how to talk to students and faculty about bargaining? Read through this list of frequently asked questions and get some answers!   What’s happened so far? What are we asking for? What Is the UO’s Current Counterproposal? What… Continue reading Bargaining FAQs

Equity is a critical concept in public education, but unfortunately it has become a buzzword for institutions wanting to appear progressive. Publicly, administrators tout commitments to equity when in reality their practices create barriers for traditionally underrepresented students. Despite declarations to the contrary, the University of Oregon has recently demonstrated a disturbing disregard for equity.… Continue reading Register-Guard: “University appears to miss point of its own equity goal”

Becca Robbins | Apr 18, 2019 GTFF members and allies rally outside of Johnson Hall Thursday to show solidarity for the negotiation efforts with a state mediator set to step in April 26. (Becca Robbins/ Emerald) Members and supporters of the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation gathered outside Johnson Hall today in a solidarity rally as negotiations on… Continue reading Daily Emerald: “Graduate Employees rally as contract negotiations move into mediation stage”

You’ve probably read the recent emails from President Schill. The University of Oregon claims it is facing serious impending budget challenges. Schill states that the University will need to reduce annual operating costs by between $10 and $11 million. Schill specifically adds that, “Given that almost 80 percent of the UO’s general-education budget comprises salaries, the… Continue reading Response to Schill’s Budget Letters

The University of Oregon and the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation did not reach an agreement on the federation’s new contract after a tense negotiation session Friday. Federation leaders said the UO’s newest counteroffer still included a cut to the union’s healthcare coverage, but university officials held firm Monday that the offer still includes a salary… Continue reading Register-Guard: “Graduate employees turn to mediator for contract negotiations with UO”

Letter from the President: “We are not just dollar signs to be cut. We are hard workers and we deserve to be treated as such.” Today, the university’s bargaining team finally brought their first economic counter of this whole bargaining process. In doing so, they’ve ignored every attempt we have made to communicate our needs, interests, and priorities regarding health care, a… Continue reading 9th Bargaining Session Recap

See below to learn about the article changes each side will be counterproposing: GTFF COUNTERPROPOSALS Article 9 (GTFF 4.5.19) Article 17 (GTFF 4.5.19) UO COUNTERPROPOSALS Article 3 (UO 4.5.19) Article 22 (UO 4.5.19) Article 25 (UO 04.05.19) Appendix A (UO 4.5.19) Notes on Articles 19, 23, 24 (UO 4.5.19)

Graduate Employees held a mock funeral procession on April 3 starting at 13th Avenue and ending at Johnson Hall to mourn the end of a 40-year contract with UO.  (Donny Morrison/ Emerald) Donny Morrison A mock funeral procession, complete with a wooden casket, made its way through campus on on Wednesday afternoon, starting on 13th Avenue… Continue reading Daily Emerald: “Graduate Employees gather to mourn the end of a 40-year contract with UO”

By BRIAN BULL A funeral procession marched through the University of Oregon today, with members of a graduate employees’ union mourning the expiration of its collective bargaining agreement with the school. Members of the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation, AFT Local 3544 carry a coffin towards the U of O’s Johnson Hall, as part of this morning’s… Continue reading KLCC: “U Of O Graduate Employees Stage Mock Funeral As New Contract Negotiations Continue”

By Jordyn Brown The Register-Guard Posted Apr 3, 2019 at 7:42 PMUpdated at 6:30 AM     The Graduate Teaching Fellow Federation at the University of Oregon turned heads Wednesday when students carried a casket down East 13th Avenue and laid it on the steps of Johnson Hall in a ceremonial funeral for its contract with the university. The procession and speeches by… Continue reading Register-Guard: “UO graduate teaching fellows stage demonstration in push for raises and training”