Bargaining Updates

Bargaining Update - 12.23.25

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OHSU Research Workers United Bargaining Summary - December 23rd, 2025

Want to help see a strong final contract for your union? Sign the RWU strike pledge here.

 

RWU and OHSU met for the first bargaining session following impasse (and fifth overall) on Monday, December 22nd. In the morning, our team received a full package of proposals from Management and were able to provide a complete response by early afternoon. We then received a counter proposal from OHSU at 7 p.m. that showed some additional movement on non-economic issues, and returned a full response by 9:30 p.m.

Without conceding any of our core positions, we worked to find creative solutions and compromises to get closer to an agreement. You can read over the highlights of our current bargaining positions here.


 

Strike Escalation reminders:
 

  • Our union siblings on the AFSCME Council 75 Executive Board have graciously approved a $100k strike hardship fund for RWU in the event that it is needed in 2026! More details on guidelines, eligibility, and other fundraising to follow as we continue mediated bargaining in the meantime.
  • Here are the slides and a video presentation from our first Strike Town Hall in December. Special guest Alexis Gibson (Postdoc Workers United President) answered questions about PWU's experience and response when undergoing a strike vote and buildup to a strike during their bargaining at OHSU last year. We will also continue to update our Strike FAQ here.

ULP Settlement reminders:

  • As part of a settlement around the Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) that RWU filed against OHSU, Researchers will be receiving a one-time lump sum payment of $1,200 for FTEs of 0.5 (half-time) or higher and $500 for FTEs of less than 0.5 FTE! We are still negotiating raises as part of our contract, this payment is to offset wages lost since October! The settlement amounts are higher than what employees would have received between September 22, 2025 to date if they had received the 2% wage increase during that time. According to the signed settlement (view here), this one-time lump sum payment will be paid to Researchers no later than January 2nd, 2026.

Bargaining reminders:

  • Our RWU bargaining team will be in mediated bargaining again on Wednesday, January 7th. We continue to hope for some real movement with management towards a fair offer!

Events:

  • Stay tuned for more information about a January RWU celebration and action around mediated bargaining!


 

Happy holidays,
 

- RWU