The University of Oregon is currently negotiating with the UO Student Workers union, the union that represents most hourly-paid student employees and resident assistants, and the UO is planning for the possibility of a labor strike. This FAQ provides answers to questions that UO community may have about ongoing negotiations and a potential labor strike.

Our top priority is preserving the student experience. Should UOSW choose to strike, we are going to do everything we can to maintain service and support with as little disruption as possible.
 

What is being done to prevent a strike?

University leaders are continuing mediated negotiations with union leaders, seeking a mutually beneficial resolution. Current information on negotiations, including the status of proposals, is available on the HR website.   

Who may strike?  

All student employees who are represented by the UOSW bargaining unit have the right to participate in a legal strike.

The bargaining unit consists of University of Oregon student workers in hourly positions (see below concerning temporary positions) or resident assistant positions at the university and who are enrolled at the UO or in an accredited educational institution.  

Employees who are not part of the UO Student Workers bargaining unit do not have the right to participate in a UOSW strike, and, therefore, must report to work. This includes:  

• Students who receive stipends either at the beginning of the month or academic term through their student billing account;  
• Student employees in positions that last fewer than 30 days; and
• Other UO employees (that is, graduate employees, faculty, OAs, and staff represented by other unions).

For those not represented by UOSW, failure to report to work and/or perform assigned work may result in disciplinary action.

Questions regarding a student employee’s bargaining unit status should be directed to the unit-level HR representative.

Can students who are not part of the union, such as students who receive leadership or internship stipends, strike in solidarity with the union? 

No. Except for resident assistants and students who receive monthly stipends for their activities are not represented by the bargaining unit and do not have the right to participate in a strike. 

Can UOSW-represented student employees continue to work? 

Participation in a strike is a personal choice made by each student employee individually. Each UOSW-represented employee decides on their own whether to participate in a strike by withholding their labor or to continue to fulfill their work obligations.  Oregon labor laws protect an employee’s right to continue working or to strike. 

What guidelines and policies apply to strike activity? 

There are a number of guidelines and policies that apply to strike activity, many of which are detailed on the Free Expression at UO webpage. Employees on strike are allowed to express themselves in alignment with university standards. For example, they can form picket lines, but they are prohibited from disrupting campus operations by blocking entrances or sidewalks or making excessive noise. Concerns about disruptive strike activity can be reported via the strike issue submission form that will be made available if a strike begins. 

UOSW-Represented Student Employees 

Can a student employee alternate between going on and off strike?

Not repeatedly. If a student employee who went on strike by withholding their labor wishes to return to work during the strike, they may do so. However, if a student employee resumes striking after they return to work, they may not return to work again and should not be scheduled to work again during the period of a strike.   

Will student employees be paid if they go on strike?  

No. Student employees who exercise their legal right to strike by not working assigned shifts and scheduled hours will not be paid. 

Can student employees use accrued sick leave pay while they are on strike?

No. Student employees cannot use accrued sick leave in order to be compensated while they are on strike.  

How can I find out if I’m in the UOSW bargaining unit?  

The university and the union have agreed to the following definition to determine who is eligible for union representation, or “in the bargaining unit”:  

The bargaining unit consists of all University of Oregon student workers in hourly employee or resident assistant positions at the university and who are enrolled at the UO or in an accredited educational institution. 

Important note: The following students are not members of the UOSW bargaining unit:  

• Students who receive stipends either at the beginning of each month or once per term through their student billing account (“stipend workers”); and
• Student employees in positions that last fewer than 30 days. 

If you are unsure about your position, please reach out to your unit-level HR support staff, who are able to look up your bargaining unit status.  

If a student employee reports to work during a strike, but stands on the picket line when they are not scheduled to work, will they still get paid?

Yes. If a student employee is fulfilling their work obligations, they are not withholding their labor and therefore are not on strike. Pay will only be impacted for those who withhold their labor during a strike. 

Do I have to notify my supervisor that I plan to go on strike? 

Participation in a strike is a personal decision, and you are under no obligation to share your intention to strike or not to strike with your supervisor. Should you choose to participate in a strike, it is understood that you may be unavailable to your supervisor and unwilling to engage in work-related activities during the strike period. However, you should perform the duties and responsibilities of your job and be responsive to your supervisor’s questions and instructions until the strike begins, and you elect to participate in the strike by withholding your labor.  

Can student employees be penalized or disciplined for striking? 

No. Under Oregon law, there can be no retaliation for participating in a legal strike. 

Non-UOSW-Represented Employees 

(Faculty, OAs, SEIU, Teamsters, UOPA, Graduate Employees, Unrepresented Student Employees) 

What happens if other employees participate in a student employee strike by withholding their labor during the strike as a show of support for the UO Student Workers union?

Employees who are not part of the UO Student Workers bargaining unit – this includes faculty, all officers of administration and all employees represented by other labor unions-- do not have the right to participate in a UOSW strike and therefore must report to work. Unapproved absences or failure to perform assigned work are subject to discipline. If an employee who is not part of the UOSW bargaining unit withholds their labor, units should consult with HR Employee and Labor Relations by contacting uoelr@uoregon.edu.  

Can supervisors reassign duties to other non-striking employees?

 Generally, yes, non-striking employees may be asked to perform duties within their position description but outside of their normal assignments. If you have a question about an assignment you are given, please ask your supervisor for clarification. 

Will tuition or fees be adjusted if services are disrupted? 

In the event of a strike, the university will continue classes, services and operations with plans to minimize interruption as much as possible. We do not anticipate having to change any operations to the point that adjustments are necessary. 

Will classes get cancelled if UO Student Workers are on strike? 

No. The academic calendar and all classes will continue as planned.  

Will a UOSW strike affect spring graduation ceremonies?  

No. Graduation ceremonies will occur as planned. 

I have a job at the UO. How do I know if I am in the union? 

The university and the union have agreed to the following definition to determine who is eligible for union representation, or “in the bargaining unit”:    

The bargaining unit consists of all University of Oregon student workers in hourly employee or resident assistant positions at the university and who are enrolled at the UO or in an accredited educational institution. Important note: The following students are not members of the UOSW bargaining unit:     

• Students who receive stipends either at the beginning of each month or once per term through their student billing account (“stipend workers”); and   
• Student employees in positions that last fewer than 30 days.  

 If you are unsure about your position, please reach out to your unit-level HR support staff, who are able to look up your bargaining unit status.