GTFF Negotiation Updates
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RESOURCES: Engaging with Graduate Students: FAQs for |
The University of Oregon continues to negotiate with the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation. Unfortunately, we have been unable to reach an agreement thus far, but the university is still committed to negotiations.
It is the university’s hope that the union and its members will also continue to work toward a contract that meets the needs of everyone. We anticipate that another mediation session will be scheduled, however, if the two sides are unable to find common ground, a strike could occur after Nov. 27.
This site has been established to share details and resources related to this negotiation. It will be updated with additional information as it is received.
We value GTFs and want to see this resolved.
- The university makes an investment in GTFs and their families, and that is reflected in our current proposals as well as collective bargaining contracts since 1976.
- The university’s GTFs’ average salary is equal to 91 percent or more of the average salary of their peers at other AAU public institutions.
The University of Oregon’s proposals include:
- The university has proposed a nine percent pay increase, over two years, on minimum graduate student salaries, which is the biggest pay increase since 2006.
- The university’s graduate students receive full tuition waivers in their role as GTFs.
- GTFs pay only $61 in fees per term, with full tuition paid by UO.
- Two weeks of guaranteed flex time for GTFs with a qualifying family or medical need, with the potential to take more time away and make up any missed work over three to nine months, depending on their individual situation
GTFs receive outstanding benefits.
- The university is offering the extension of full health care, vision and dental benefits for the students and their families, including for GTFs working as few as eight hours per week during the academic year.
- GTF health insurance covers costs for prenatal, maternity and infant health care costs.
- The Graduate School will coordinate to ensure that GTFs across campus are treated consistently and with flexibility regarding long term absences, with the goal of accommodating the GTF’s family or medical need.
When considering the UO's full offer, it is comparable to that of our peers.
- Six of our eight AAU peers – University of Iowa, University of California, Santa Barbara, University of Indiana, University of Colorado, University of North Carolina, and the University of Virginia – do not provide any premium coverage for their GTFs’ partners and children. When comparing UO to those that do – University of Washington, University of Michigan – the UO provides the greatest subsidy – 95 percent.
- This school year, the University of Oregon will pay up to $12,423 for each graduate student with a family on our GTF insurance plan. In 2013-14, the UO paid $7.45 million in insurance premiums for graduate students and their families.
| Institution | Paid leave (any at all-- 3.5 days or more) | Premium subsidy for families |
| University of Oregon | NO | YES (95% covered) |
| Oregon State University | NO | YES (50% covered) |
| Portland State University | NO | NO |
| University of Washington | YES (3.5 days) | YES (65% covered) |
| University of Michigan | YES (6 weeks) | YES (coverage varies) |
| University of Iowa | YES (13.5-18 days) | NO |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | YES (4 weeks) | NO |
| University of Indiana | NO | NO |
| University of Colorado | NO | NO |
| University of North Carolina | YES (6 weeks) | NO |
| University of Virginia | NO | NO |
|
Institution |
Graduate Assistant
Health Plan
|
Comparable
Benefits to UO GTF
Plan
|
Same Benefits for
Dependents
|
Nationwide
Coverage*
|
Premium Subsidy for
Dependents
|
Medical Out of
Pocket Maximum
$1,000 or Less
|
| University of Oregon | YES | YES | YES | YES | 95% | YES |
| University of Washington | YES | YES | YES | YES | 65% | NO |
| University of Michigan | YES | YES | YES | NO | Variable | NO |
| University of Iowa | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO | NO |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | YES | YES | NO | YES | NO | NO |
| University of Indiana | YES | NO | YES | YES | NO | NO |
| University of Colorado | YES | NO | YES | YES | NO | NO |
| University of North Carolina | YES | NO | YES | YES | NO | NO |
| University of Virginia | YES | NO | YES | YES | NO | NO |
The university doesn’t want a strike, but is preparing.
- Education of our students will continue in classrooms and labs with as little disruption as possible by a GTFF strike.