Automatic 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.
CBA Automatic Economic Reopener Articles
The economic provisions of the Agreement and health care topic that can be opened for bargaining in the reopener are:
28.3.1.a - Article 19, Sections 19.3 - 19.5;
28.3.1.b - Article 20, Section 20.2;
28.3.1.c - Article 21, Section 21.3 (expressly limited to any continued funding of the Graduate Employee Assistance Fund)
28.3.1.d - Proposals regarding having the University pay as a benefit of employment, all or a portion of the cost of a GAs health insurance premium or a related health care proposal involving any direct payment or any subsidy or offset of health care costs of GA (whether medical, dental, and/or vision), including but not necessarily limited to proposals such as ICHRAs or creating alternatives to SHAC student insurance such as a group health plan for GAs.
Bargaining Updates and Proposals
May 8, 2024 - First in-person bargaining session
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.
2024.04.05 - GEU - Ground Rules: Proposal 1 - Economic Reopener
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. This initial proposal exchange signaled the start of the Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA) 150 day direct bargaining timeline.
2024.03.01 - PSU - Ground Rules: Proposal 1 - Economic Reopener
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 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