This page contains information related to the upcoming election to determine whether the UO Student Workers’ Union will be the exclusive representative of student employees.
View the Official Notice of Election
Union Election Process
The election will be conducted through an online voting process administered by a third-party vendor that will track and tabulate votes.
Election period: October 5-24, 2023; Ballots must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on October 24, 2023.
Eligible voters:
- All student employees who worked hours attributable to April, May, June, July, August, or September of 2023;
- All active Resident Assistants (RA); and
- All student employees hired between August 15, 2023 and September 19, 2023 (regardless of whether they worked hours attributable in August or September). Anyone hired after September 19, 2023, and/or who has graduated and is no longer enrolled at UO, is not eligible to vote.
How to vote: Eligible voters will receive an email from the Employment Relations Board (ERB) with a link to the voting platform. If you believe you are eligible and do not receive an email to vote, you are encouraged to contact the ERB’s Election & Mediation Coordinator by email at sabrina.dunsworth@erb.oregon.gov or phone at 503-378-6471.
Voter Information
The university takes a neutral stance on unionization and supports a fair union election process. Eligible voters are encouraged to make informed decisions and exercise their right to vote.
Know your voting options
The voting form will ask you to select from two options:
- I want the University of Oregon Student Workers Union (UOSW) to represent student employees.
This option will result in union certification. - I do not want UOSW to represent student employees
This option is for the status quo, i.e. no union certification.
Know the outcome of the vote
- Only eligible voters may participate in the election. They determine the outcome on behalf of those currently employed.
- If 50 percent of the votes are for union certification, then a union will be formed, and a bargaining unit will be established.
- Union formation includes organizing, electing representatives, and collecting dues from members.
- The university and union representatives would begin the collective bargaining process to establish a collective bargaining agreement to govern terms of student employment at the UO.
- If 50 percent of the votes are against union certification, then a union will not be formed.
Know the bargaining unit
- All employees holding any position designated as a “student employee” position in, Banner, the University’s ERP system, as well as resident assistants.
- Exclusions:
- Supervisory and confidential employees.
- Employees holding positions that are included in other bargaining units under existing certification or recognition clauses.
- “Short-term” position, meaning a position that has an intended duration of less than 30 calendar days of compensable work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is included in the proposed union?
The union has been defined to include “All student employees of the University of Oregon (meaning all employees holding any position designated as a “student employee” position in the University’s ERP system, as well as resident assistants), with the following exclusions: The bargaining unit excludes all supervisory and confidential employees, as well as employees holding positions that are included in other bargaining units under existing certification or recognition clauses. The bargaining unit also excludes any “short-term” position, meaning a position that has an intended duration of less than 30 calendar days of compensable work.”
When and how will voting occur?
The election will be October 5-24, 2023. Eligible voters will receive an email from the Employment Relations Board containing a link to the voting website, and will be able to cast their vote using their UO email and student ID as identifiers.
Who is eligible to vote?
All student employees who worked hours in April, May, June, July, August, or September of 2023 (and have not graduated), as well as active resident assistants and any student employee hired between August 15 and September 19, 2023, are eligible to vote.
How will it be decided if there is a union?
Following the election period, the Employment Relations Board (ERB) will tally the votes. If the union receives a majority of the votes cast in the election, then it will be certified as the exclusive representative of student employees. In other words, make sure to vote, because only the votes cast will be considered when determining whether a majority of voters favor a union.
