"The union and university are currently in the middle of bargaining for their next contract, as their previous collective bargaining agreement expired on June 30. In August, PSU refused to administer benefit funds, including financial assistance from a fund often used for rent and groceries, to adjunct faculty who requested it. The move was deemed bad-faith bargaining by the Oregon Employee Relations Board."
"The board ruled PSUFA members were entitled to the funds even after the contract expired. By withholding them, PSU failed to uphold the status quo requiring employers to maintain benefits for union employees even after a contract's expiration. As a result, the board ordered PSU to release the funds, with interest, and post a notice of wrongdoing for PSUFA-represented employees."
"said she planned to use the assistance funds to pay for rent in August, when the funds would normally be released. Her children's father passed away recently, and she had to adjust to being a single parent, adding to financial stress. "The union emailed and said, 'Hey, PSU is refusing to release these funds, which isn't typical of them,' Rose said. 'They usually do release funds and there was no communication from PSU saying [they intended not to.]'""
Adjunct faculty at Portland State University endured withheld special benefit funds during ongoing contract bargaining after their previous contract expired June 30. In August, PSU refused to administer benefit funds, including emergency assistance often used for rent and groceries, to adjuncts who requested help. The Oregon Employee Relations Board found PSU engaged in bad-faith bargaining and violated the status quo obligation to maintain benefits after contract expiration. The board ordered PSU to release the withheld funds with interest and to post a notice of wrongdoing for PSUFA-represented employees. Union members reported serious financial stress and shaken trust in the university.
Read at Portland Mercury
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