Workers could strike Oregon universities Sept. 30

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By Don McIntosh

The week before a strike vote, union members rallied at Oregon State University in Corvallis.

Rejecting a 2% wage increase as too little too late, Oregon public university support workers voted by over 95% to authorize a strike in balloting Sept. 16-17.  SEIU Local 503, issued a 10-day strike notice immediately afterward, with the strike to begin Monday, September 30 at 7 a.m.

The strike would involve about 5,000 SEIU Local 503 members at Oregon’s seven public universities. Their wages have risen just 13% in 10 years, while the cost of living has risen 19% in that time. This year, university administrators gave managers 3% raises while sticking to a 0% offer since February for the clerical support staff, custodians, and cafeteria workers of Local 503. On Sept. 13, the employer offer increased to 2%, but members want to make up for lost ground. The union is proposing raises of 3% and 3.25%.

“We’re asking for a cost-of-living increase that reflects the cost of living,” says Local 503 spokesperson Jay Parasco.

Further bargaining will take place Sept. 23.

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