Faculty and academic professionals at Portland State University voted in April with 96% in favor to ratify a new contract that gives the biggest cost-of-living raises to lower-paid workers.
The agreement covers 1,172 workers represented by PSU chapter of American Association of University Professors (AAUP). In May, they’ll get a 5% increase on the first $75,000 they’re paid; 1.5% on the next $25,000; and 0.5% on the next $50,000.
Workers will get a 3% cost-of-living adjustment in the second year of the contract and inflation-based adjustments in the third and fourth years. The contract runs through November 2028.
Academic professionals in admissions, financial aid, academic advising, and other programs sometimes use languages other than English to communicate with students and families. The contract adds a new 5% pay differential when they’re required to use a second language.
David Kinsella, a PSU-AAUP vice president and political science professor, said bargaining was more contentious than in the past, largely due to a layoff announcement. The university issued layoff notices to 17 faculty represented by PSU-AAUP in December. PSU had announced the layoffs were coming in October, but the faculty will remain on the job until June 15.
PSU-AAUP declared impasse in February after progress in mediation stalled, but reached tentative agreement on a new contract March 25 and canceled a strike authorization vote scheduled for the following week. PSU-AAUP raised more than $65,000 for a strike fund.
