We’re finally here! After nearly 3 years of organizing, Research Workers United and Oregon Health and Science University bargaining teams met for our first hybrid session on Sept. 5.

The session focused on introducing the bargaining teams, as well as beginning to work through ground rules and a package of initial articles proposed by OHSU including Union Membership and Dues Deductions, Discipline and Discharge, Management Rights, Modified Operations, Layoffs, Grievance and Arbitration, Health and Safety, Intellectual Property, Strikes and Lockouts, Savings Clause, and Complete Agreement language. In a productive sign, both teams had come to the table with articles prepared in the first session, and our team elected to work off of the first proposal from management in order to make the most of the time we had. Both parties acknowledged that much of the language in these initial proposals was sourced from recent union contacts at OHSU.

While no tentative agreements were reached, the RWU bargaining team made great progress on drafting counter-proposals regarding Ground Rules (for bargaining) and Union Membership and Dues Deductions. We’re looking forward to sharing further updates from our next session on Thursday, Sept. 26, and appreciate all your support in getting our bargaining team to the table!

This team hopes to get you a bargaining update following each session. We’d also like to discuss more with you at our next General Union meeting on September 19th at 5:30 PM (RSVP here). Additionally, you can still fill out the RWU bargaining survey which will help inform our Bargaining Council and Team about your experience and priorities, as well as to let us know if you’d like to get more involved!

P.S. - We meant to take a picture of ourselves at the table for you, but then got wrapped up in the matter at hand. Next time!

Your RWU Bargaining Team,

Henry Harrison

Lynne Swarbrick

Victoria Halls

Lillian Raley

Wes Horton

Cort Cox