UOSW reaches tentative agrement with university

After 10 days on strike and over 11 monts of bargaining UO Student Workers (UOSW) reached a tentative agreement on their first contract late night Wednesday. While not achieving all their demands they made some wins on their core demands and gains on others. They become the first campus-wide undergaduate worker union to get a TA.

The agreement will now go to the union’s 4,000 members for a ratification vote starting this Friday at 10 AM, voting will end Wednesday at 5 PM. UOSW says that with getting the TA, all voters should return to work tomorrow. The union will additionally hold a general membership meeting Friday at 5 to discuss the contract.

“This marks a turning point at the University of Oregon,” said Ashton Pressman, dining hall worker and UOSW Bargaining Co-Chair. “For the first time student workers will have a legally enforceable union contract. We now have real tools to fight for fair wages, safe working conditions, and importantly protections from harassment and discrimination.”

The union says that through polling their members, arbritration for harassment and discrimination was a high priority issue. Through bargaining and outside pressure, they were able to get it included in the contract. Fair pay was another big demand from workers. Before the strike the union was asking for $18.50/hr starting pay and the university called for $15.44/hr. While not getting what had been requested, the union brought it up to $16/hr starting pay.

Starting in fall of 2026, student resident assistant jobs will be split into three roles. Community Builder, that the university pays a 65% credity to room and meals, Community Safety Assistant, that receives 85% credit, and Community Coordinator that receives 100% credit. The Community Coordinator position is however a limited duration role that is only available to those that were RAs during the ’24-’25 school year.

If student workers ratifiy the contract, it will go into effect the first day of the following month and last until March 31, 2028.