The University of Oregon has announced commitments to multiyear salary increases starting in 2022 for eligible faculty, officers of administration, and classified employees. Tentative agreements with United Academics and Service Employees International Union provide salary increase plans. In addition, the 2022 across-the-board salary adjustment for officers of administration, which was previously announced as part of a three-year plan, has been increased from 3 to 4 percent.
“We are incredibly grateful to our faculty, staff and OAs for their dedication to our mission. During the challenges of the last two years our employees demonstrated resilience and an extraordinary commitment to innovate and discover,” President Michael H. Schill said. “This investment in salaries totaling at least 10 percent over the next three years recognizes the value and critical role that employees play at our university.”
Oregon’s public universities and SEIU, representing classified employees, reached a tentative agreement on a new five-year contract that includes economic terms such as cost-of-living adjustments, step increase each year of the contract and selective salary increases for several classifications. The union is expected to hold a ratification vote in December. More information about the tentative agreement is available on the Human Resources website.
“Settling on a five-year contract in such an efficient and timely manner was an important step toward affirming our appreciation for the important services performed by SEIU members across our campuses and providing stability for employees and the university,” said Mark Schmelz, chief human resources officer. “I am incredibly grateful to the members of the universities’ and SEIU’s bargaining teams for their many hours of work to reach a tentative agreement on our longest-term contract ever.”
A tentative agreement has also been reached between UO and United Academics to provide salary increases for faculty across multiple years. This agreement was reached as part of the current collective bargaining process with the parties focused on a mutual interest of implementing a salary increase plan now through a memorandum of understanding rather than waiting until all terms of a successor contract are settled. The union has ratified the agreement.
“We know that there is more work to be done in the months ahead as we collaborate with the UA bargaining team to reach agreement on a successor agreement,” Schmelz said. “We are also confident that having clarity and resolution with regards to a major economic component of the contract allows both parties to focus on seeking resolution on other matters.”
For officers of administration, the increase to across-the-board salary adjustments from 3 percent to 4 percent for those eligible in January of 2022 is a direct result of discussions and feedback from OA Council that clearly expressed concerns for recruitment, retention and inflation, said Schmelz. The additional annual increases in 2023 and 2024 announced in November remain the same.
The university also recently announced that it would close the university for two additional days in December 2021. Schmelz says, as 2021 comes to a close, faculty and staff are encouraged to take a well-deserved break to rest and recharge as we collectively set our sights on winter term.