Members of the Oregon Health & Science University and Graduate Researchers United (GRU) bargaining teams met virtually Tuesday, June 13, in their 13th collective bargaining session.

OHSU counter-proposals

• Article 8 -- Stipends, Tuition and Fees, and Terms of Appointments: OHSU proposed stipend increases of 4% in the first year, 3% in the second, and 2% in the third year. OHSU declined the proposed GRU language requiring OHSU to cover differences between what is provided by grants and the stipend level set by the collective bargaining agreement, stating that this is current practice and sources of funds should not be governed by the contract.
• Article 9 -- Health Insurance and Other Benefits: OHSU proposed to increase its premium contribution for dependent care coverage for health insurance. OHSU declined GRU’s proposals for further reductions on TriMet passes and reimbursement for childcare services.
• Article 12 – Time Off and Leave: OHSU proposed to frontload 160 hours (20 days) of paid time off (PTO) for all graduate researchers upon hire and annually on July 1, to continue to allow the rollover of 80 hours (10 days) of PTO each year, and to permit up to 240 hours (30 days) of PTO to be taken each year. OHSU declined to permit graduate researchers to cash out unused PTO.

Tentative agreements

• Package -- Joint Labor Management/Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Contract Education:
  • Joint Labor Management: OHSU and GRU agreed on the contents of the package. The parties agreed to have joint labor management meetings on a quarterly basis, or more often if agreed upon, to discuss emerging issues as they relate to graduate researchers’ working conditions, the interpretation and application of this Agreement, and other subjects that may be agreed upon. In no event will these meetings engage in negotiations or reinterpretations of the contract beyond consulting materials generated during bargaining.
  • MOU Contract Education: Parties agreed to develop joint training on contract education and that all graduate researchers, mentors, supervisors and administrators who oversee the work of graduate researchers will be encouraged to complete the training.

Going forward

The teams will next meet virtually on Tuesday, June 20, with bi-monthly-to-weekly meetings as determined by the teams.