Faculty reached tentative agreement on a new contract with University of Oregon March 30, averting a strike that was set to start March 31 — the first day of spring term.
United Academics of the University of Oregon represents more than 1,700 teaching and research faculty. They unionized in 2012, becoming part of both the American Association of University Professors and American Federation of Teachers Local 3209.
Just over 55% of the 1,700 faculty represented by United Academics are dues-paying members. So when the union announced that 89% of members took part in a strike vote and 92% voted to authorize a strike, those voting to strike amounted to less than half of the represented faculty. United Academics President Mike Urbancic said membership is highest among long-term faculty; more than 70% of tenure-track faculty and career instructors are members.
Their new contract includes an immediate 4.5% raise followed by raises of 3.25% in September 2025 and 2% in September 2026. Besides those across-the-board wage increases, UO is providing additional funds for raises to boost pay in departments where faculty make less than at similar universities. Those funds are equivalent to 2% for career instructional faculty and 3% for tenure-track faculty. Full-time workers will also get a one-time $2,000 payment and part-timers will get a prorated amount.
Urbancic said faculty have been asked to do more to support students since the pandemic and have seen their salaries fall behind inflation. A 2022 survey conducted for the university found low employee morale and little faith in the institution.
Members will vote on the new contract in early April.
