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SEIU meets with Ray to discuss contracting
Budget cuts may put classified employees at risk, in need of government assistance
Makenna Bishop
Issue date: 5/15/09 Section: News
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The Oregon University System and the Service Employees International Union gathered at the bargaining table Thursday.
The first day of a two-day meeting was the continuation of a meeting held in Monmouth that was cut short due to the university's closure for the swine flu. The bargaining meetings serve to provide a contract for classified employees at the seven higher education universities in the state. The meetings also rotate between all seven schools.
Currently, salary cuts are being discussed at the meetings. A cut as high as 4.6 percent has been announced to classified employees, which could detrimentally affect the lives of the employees and their families.
Classified employees at Oregon State University organized a day of action rally as a way to bring awareness to the bargaining process.
Maggie Neel, local president of SEIU, said in addition to bringing awareness to their team, the day of action was also an important way to show support to management.
"There was high energy today. People were willing to give up their lunch hour to support and work hard to get the best for all the employees," Neel said. "About 120 people showed up, and as we get closer to settling the contract in coming weeks, we expect to see more people joining in."
Union contracts must be renewed every two years, and the current contracts will be up in June. It is hoped that the bargaining will be completed and settled early for the coming fiscal year, but it has been known to last through September.
Neel said she and her team understand that in the current economy, there isn't a lot of extra money around. She said they are not looking for raises, but simply cannot afford pay cuts.
Betu Herrera, an office specialist in the department of music and member of the union, said she has already sacrificed during a salary freeze that occurred two years ago.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
gobeavs14
posted 5/15/09 @ 6:17 AM PST
How on earth do you really think a 4.6% cut in pay is going to "detrimentally affect the employees and their families"? And what is with the scare tactics that many could be out of their houses or go on food stamps? You would think this was a 40% pay cut!
Miss Bishop needs to give her readers a little more credit; our education has taught us to see through this kind of nonsense. (Continued…)
Support workers and their families!
posted 5/15/09 @ 11:40 AM PST
The article says that campus workers had their salaries frozen 2 years ago. Therefore, they have already suffered a pay cut equal to the rate of inflation. (Continued…)
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