Last week, OHSU finally presented a counterproposal on our economics package. However, it fell far short of our members' needs on compensation, retirement and insurance. In light of the ongoing federal funding uncertainties and upcoming legislation, OHSU management has indicated they do not feel they have enough information to respond to any economic proposals. They have offered us an interim Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that includes a 2% wage increase, activation of the current tentatively agreed-upon articles, and a pause on all bargaining until November, when the threat to OHSU research funding may be better understood. While these are challenging times, OHSU is not alone in this predicament. Other major employers in the region have been able to work out longer term contracts, responding to their employees’ needs with wage increases and other compensation improvements. OHSU also continues to bargain with other represented groups.

It is our position that OHSU is already obligated by state law to maintain the status quo in the absence of a signed agreement. In this case, that means providing annual merit increases in kind with other Unclassified employees, which have already been set at 2% for fiscal year 2026. This proposal appears to be a maintenance of the status quo, with an additional agreement not to bargain until November. In the MOU, OHSU did not address any of our outstanding proposed articles, nor did they commit to responding to those articles when bargaining resumes in November.

Although this offer is disappointing, RWU remains committed to securing the best possible contract for our members despite the current threats to research, and we are strategizing on the best path forward. In any case, any Tentative Agreement of this scale would require ratification by our membership should the bargaining team choose to present it for a vote. We will be taking your voices into account at every step. Thank you for your support, and we will continue to update you with future developments.

In solidarity,

RWU

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Your RWU Bargaining Team,

Henry Harrison

Lynne Swarbrick

Victoria Halls

Lillian Raley

Wes Horton

Cort Cox

Anna Levy

Caitlin Burbank