UO demands rent from striking residence hall workers, docks meal points; union files ULP

Residence hall workers in exchange for their work for the University of Oregon receive free room and board and a minimal stipend. Now on strike since Monday, in part to keep that agreement in place, are being asked by the university to pay. And not just for the days they’ve been on strike, but thousands of dollars for the rest of the term. The union says this practice is uncalled for and has never happened before in such times where Resident Assistants (RAs) have missed work for things like being sick.

The university has also docked workers of their meal points used to buy themselves food that they accrued before the strike happened. RAs are now reporting that their meal points are returning, but many are saying that they are not to the full balance that they were before the university depleted their accounts.

Following these actions against RAs, UOSW filed an unfair labor pracice complaint with the Oregon Employment Relations Board. Workers believe this is a scare tactic from the administration to get them to end the strike as the university has announced they will prorate charges down to just the strike period when the strike ends.

Student workers are facing not only financial impacts, but an academic impact. When students billing account is over $1k, a hold is put on their account. Initial registration for summer classes begins May 10, and for fall term it is May 19 and desired courses often fill up quickly.

“As a resident assistant, the reason I do my job is not only because I care a lot about the well-being of the residents and cultivating a positive culture on campus, but also because I’ve had a tremendous financial struggle in my life and my family does not have the financial means to support me,” says Ruby, a third year student and second year RA. “And getting an education is really important to me, and this was how I was able to afford to do it.”

The union is making a big push right now for folks to donate to their hardship fund. Food donations are also accepted and workers always support solidarity through presence on the picket line.

“Threats to RAs’ living and job security have been happening since we started organizing for forming this union. Now that our union is certified I would have expected them to act in much better faith to listen to their workers,” says Carolyn Roderique, current staff organizer with the union and former RA at the UO, “When you strike, you accept that you’re going to lose pay for the days you strike – this is entirely different. It feels like the UO has declared war on its students.”