GEU BARGAINING UPDATES

Limited Economic Reopener 2024

The University’s top priority is to reach an agreement on an economic reopener negotiation that best serves the dedicated graduate student employees and the University. The economic provisions of the Agreement that can be opened for bargaining in the reopener are related to salary, COLAs, tuition and fees, any continued funding of the Graduate Employee Assistance Fund, and proposals regarding having the University pay as a benefit of employment.

December 13, 2024 - Tentative Agreement

GEU informed the University that membership has ratified the agreement. The TA is now in effect.

December 5, 2024 - Tentative Agreement

The parties have reached a tentative agreement (TA) yesterday. The TA still needs to be ratified by GEU. The expected ratification vote is by Dec 13, 2024. The key details are summarized below:

Minimum Salary:

Year 1 = +9.0%, effective Winter 2025
Year 2 = +5.0%, effective September 2025

Ratification Bonus:

$500 for current GAs employed in Fall 2024, if ratified by 12/13/24

COLA Increase for Returning GAs who worked last academic year:

Year 1 = +3.5%, effective Winter 2025 contracts
Year 2 = +3.5%, effective September 2025

Continued access to a GA Assistance Fund

$45,000 addition to the fund next FY

An LOA report on obtaining quotes, planning documents, and exploring related questions for healthcare options was also part of the agreement.

October 1, 2024 - University Files for Mediation with ERB

PSU filed for mediation on October 1st, 2024. Mediation is the next step in the bargaining process for Oregon’s public employees. The first mediation session will be held on December 5th, 2024.

September 25, 2024 - Hybrid bargaining session (9)

The session began with PSU sharing its MOA proposal on Healthcare in response to GEU’s Healthcare Trust proposal. PSU's MOA Healthcare proposal outlines the steps that need to be taken prior to the next round of Successor Negotiations, which is scheduled to begin on March 1, 2026. PSU proposed paying the full amount to contract with a consultant who is experienced in working with public employers to establish an ICHRA for graduate assistants employed at PSU who are members of the GEU. The consultant will also produce a report that analyzes the cost of creating a GA ICHRA Health Plan, the timeline to establish the plan, and the expected ongoing costs to administer the plan. The PSU stated that it has heard GA’s dissatisfaction with the current SHAC medical plan available to all GA’s and students. PSU also noted that the removal of GEU’s members from the University SHAC healthcare plan would have an impact on that plan. GEU continued to state their interest in not having another task force to review Healthcare plans and repeated their insistence that PSU implement a Healthcare solution now.

After a brief caucus, the GEU shared proposals on Salaries, COLA, Fees, Tuition, Graduate Assistance Fund, and OR PFML. The status of the GEU and PSU's proposal minimum salary for a 9 month @ 1.0 FTErequests between the parties is as GAs follows:

Current contract: $29,439 ($18.87/hr) ($1,603/month)
GEU's last proposal: $52,260 ($33.50/hr)($2,845/month) (+77.5%)
PSU’s last proposal: $30,413 ($19.50/hr) ($1,656/month) (+3.31%)

The GEU also requested that PSU pick up the OR PFML and OIS fees. GEU added a new cost to their proposals, requesting that the University issue a one-time lump sum payment of $1,200 that they may use to pay for various fees and costs associated with their international status. PSU inquired if GEU had costed this current proposal to be sure that forward progress was being made in good faith bargaining. GEU responded that were unable to fully cost out their proposals due to the unknown cost of the healthcare trust proposal previously submitted on August 21, 2024.

PSU Exchanged Proposals:

Healthcare MOA Proposal - 09.25.2024

GEU Exchanged Proposals:

September 11, 2024 - Hybrid bargaining session (8)

The parties began the session by discussing the data from PSU’s request for information response. GEU had some follow-up questions about the total costs around grants and subsequent charges or fees. GEU then shared their proposals covering fees, fee remission, tuition and tuition remission. The only real substantive change in this proposal was the inclusion of the OISSS fee being paid for by PSU. GEU also put forward a proposal asking for the Graduate Employee Assistance Fund to be increased from $20,000 yearly to $40,000. The final proposal put forward by GEU was their proposal on Oregon Paid Family Medical Leave. GEU proposed PSU pay for the whole 1% payroll deduction.

After a short caucus, the Parties returned to the bargaining room for PSU to present its second package proposal. PSU’s second package proposal responded to all of the GEU proposals on the table except the Healthcare Trust. The Parties continued to discuss the topic of Healthcare and potential healthcare support systems that can be accurately costed and implemented in the current PSU structure and negotiation timeline. PSU continues to state that it needs more information about cost and implementation timelines before it can consider making a proposal on this topic.

PSU Exchanged Proposals:

PSU Proposal Package - 09.11.2024

GEU Exchanged Proposals:

August 29, 2024 -Hybrid bargaining session (7)

The August 29th session began with PSU’s first proposals in response to GEU’s initial proposals on 18th July and 21st August. PSU did not include a response to the GEU Healthcare Trust Fund proposal put forward in the August session. PSU did have some outstanding questions for GEU about the legality of setting up this kind of trust regarding the Affordable Care Act’s legal stipulations. PSU also inquired about the cost of setting up a trust of this kind and GEU responded with their initial setup estimated costs but was not able to give a final number.

GEU then presented their second proposal on Minimums Salary and Minimum Monthly Salary Increases (Article 19, Sections 19.3 and 19.4). The Parties also listened to testimonials from GA’s about the financial and medical difficulties they face in their everyday lives. The session came to a close with teams deciding on the agenda for the next session.

PSU Exchanged Proposals:

PSU Proposal Package - 08.29.2024

GEU Exchanged Proposals:

August 21, 2024 - Hybrid bargaining session (6)

On August 21, 2024, the parties met in a hybrid session in the Vanport Building. GEU wished to begin by exchanging their OR-PFML proposal and an initial proposal to include employer-paid healthcare as a condition of employment. The University did not expect to receive a healthcare proposal from GEU in this session but welcomed the proposal as a way of better understanding the entirety of the financial package being proposed by GEU.

GEU Exchanged Proposals:

GEU’s initial proposal stated that GEU would establish a Health and Welfare Trust, which would be tasked with seeking bids for, purchasing, and administering a health insurance plan for eligible GAs. GEU would send the University a list of all eligible GAs, and the University would make a lump sum payment to the Health and Welfare Trust equal to 100% of the health insurance premium costs for all GAs and all dependents eligible for coverage. In GEU’s proposal, a GA would be eligible for payment of health insurance from the first day of their first GA appointment through the end of their graduate program, including terms when the University did not employ them as GA. In addition, GEU proposed that the University pay $122,196 in AY2024-25 and $128,305 in AY 2025-26 to the GEU to cover the cost of administering the trust. In response to the University’s questions, GEU could not provide the University with an estimate of the total cost of the proposal or any details about forming the trust.

GEU’s proposal on OR PFML proposed to change the employee contribution of the 1% payroll contribution from 60% to 0%. The University and GEU agreed in an MOA implementing Oregon Paid Family Medical Leave in Spring 2023 to review the percentage of contributions made by each party as part of the economic re-opener.

The University summarized its financial condition, noting that operating expenses exceeded revenue and that reserve spending had been needed for the past fiscal years. The current year’s budget for the E&G fund, which supports the academic mission of the University, includes $18M of reserve spending. The PSU Board of Trustees has instructed the President to propose a financial sustainability plan by November to eliminate the structural deficit. The Board of Trustees Finance and Administration Committee Meeting June 2024 meeting is available to view with additional details.

The Parties will meet next Thursday, August 29, from 2 pm to 5 pm.

July 18, 2024 - Hybrid bargaining session (5)

On July 18, the parties met to begin exchanging economic proposals. GEU began by exchanging five economic proposals with PSU.

GEU Exchanged Proposals:

GEU’s initial proposal increased the minimum salary of GAs by 85.5% from $29,439 to $54,600 for a 9-month 1.0 FTE appointment starting September 16, 2024. GEU also proposed a COLA for any GA below the minimum of 25%. GEU proposed a minimum salary increase of 3.5% for all 9-month and 12-month Graduate Assistant appointments in AY 2025-26. GEU proposed changing the contract language for COLAs, which limited COLAs to a range based on the CPI-U West (1.5% to 3.5%), to be whatever the CPI-U West change was in that year. GEU also included proposal language requiring the University to adjust the minimum salary rates in proportion to every application of cost of living adjustment raises. GEU also proposed adding the OISS processing fee for international students. Finally, GEU also proposed adding $100,000 to the graduate employees' assistance fund. The University expressed an interest in responding to the economic proposals once all economic re-opener proposals were submitted. GEU responded that additional proposals on health care and Oregon Paid Family Medical Leave (OR PFML) leave were likely forthcoming. The Parties discussed that the University and GEU agreed to establish a joint Health Care Task Force in the last contract negotiations. This Task Force was charged with preparing a report on establishing an ICHRA, potential group health plans, and any other programs identified by the task force to provide financial assistance for payment of health insurance premiums. The Task Force did not produce a report or generate information to inform the Parties. Due to the short time between scheduled bargaining sessions, the July 23, 2024 session was canceled.

June 26, 2024 - Hybrid bargaining session (4)

On June 26, the parties met to continue the discussion on Ground Rules—the majority of the discussion centered around the observer rules and attribution of comments to bargaining team members. By the end of the bargaining session, the Parties had reached an agreement, and the Ground Rules were sent out for signature (06.26.2024 - PSU & GEU - Ground Rules - Economic Reopener (Final signed)).

June 12, 2024 - Hybrid bargaining session (3)

On June 12, the parties met for their third bargaining session. PSU began by presenting their counter proposal on Ground Rules. PSU accepted GEU’s proposal, allowing the bargaining team to be modified up to 24 hours ahead of a bargaining session. PSU also agreed not to require observers to sign into the Zoom observation rooms. GEU also agreed to language that does not allow the attribution of comments to bargaining team members, with the understanding that Parties can only do their best to mitigate this concern.

May 22, 2024 - Hybrid bargaining session (2)

On May 22, the parties met for their second bargaining session in the same venue. PSU began by exchanging their second Ground Rules proposal with GEU. GEU then presented a counter proposal. The parties continue to discuss bargaining modality (in-person vs fully online vs hybrid), as well as issues about observers.

May 8, 2024 - Hybrid bargaining session (1)

On May 8, the parties met for their first bargaining session in the Richard and Maurine Neuberger Center (RMNC). The two-hour session began with PSU presenting interests behind their initial ground rules proposal provided to GEU on March 1, via email. GEU presented its counter-proposal, which it shared with the University by email on April 4. After a brief caucus, the parties returned to the bargaining room to ask clarifying questions on the proposals. The next bargaining session is scheduled for May 22, 2024.

April 5, 2024 - GEU responded to the first proposal on ground rules by PSU

On April 5, GEU sent a response to the University's initial proposal on ground rules for the Economic Reopener Negotiations.

March 28, 2024 - PSU sent potential bargaining dates and times to GEU

On March 28th, the University provided 19 dates totaling 46 hours of bargaining time, and are awaiting a response from GEU regarding their availability.

March 1, 2024 - PSU sent Ground Rules proposal to GEU

On March 1, the University sent GEU a first proposal on ground rules for the Economic Reopener Negotiations. The parties agreed in LMC and by email that initial proposal exchange was the start of the Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA) 150 day direct bargaining timeline.

February 1, 2024 - GEU Written Notice & PSU Response

On February 1, GEU provided the University with written notice stating its interest in opening all sections identified in Section 28.3.1 with the understanding that proposals on possible Healthcare plans and/or options will be exchanged after more information is available. The University responded with written notice on February 5, 2024, stating its intention to open all sections detailed in 28.3.1 with the understanding that proposals on healthcare plans or options will wait for more information to be collected.

Bargaining Updates and Proposals

Complete GEU Economic Reopener Proposal Tracker (Linked Here)

Bargaining Timeline Overview

This timeline is based on the Employment Relations Board Strike Permitted Unit Bargaining Process timeline and current CBA bargaining dates. The exact date for each milestone is contingent on when the actual date requests and declarations are made. The timeline will be updated accordingly.

Last updated: April 16, 2024

Milestone	Dates	Academic Calendar
The GEU sent written notice to the University on February 1, 2024	February 1, 2024
The University sent written notice to the GEU on February 5, 2024	February 5, 2024	Winter Term - Week 6
The University sent Ground Rules to the GEU on March 1, 2024.	March 1, 2024	Winter Term - Week 8
End of PECBA 150 Day Bargaining Timeline - From March 1st	July 29, 2024	Summer Term - Week 6

Employment Relations Board Reference – Dispute Resolution Process: https://www.oregon.gov/erb/pages/pecba.aspx