Update

January 30-31 Session

What happened: American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and University representatives met on January 30 and 31 to discuss language changes in the contract.

  • Prior to the session, the AAUP requested that a representative of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) union be added as a member of their team. This raised some concern, because Oregon Tech is required to bargain only with AAUP, the union certified as the faculty bargaining exclusive representative. The law also requires a union to provide its members due process when affiliating with another union. When asked about the affiliation, AAUP asserted that it was not affiliating with AFT but rather having the AFT representative serve as a consultant. Unions often engage consultants for bargaining, albeit not typically from another union. When this occurs, as opposed to an affiliation, an employer must respect the wishes of the union.
  • Oregon Tech and AAUP presented the proposals outlined below.

What’s next: AAUP plans to respond with counter proposals (below) before the next meeting, Feb. 13-14.

  • Non-Discrimination: AAUP proposed that it be eliminated from having to adhere to the non-discrimination language, believing the contract was only between the faculty members and Oregon Tech. That is not true. The contract is between Oregon Tech and AAUP. AAUP also proposed adding political affiliation as a protected classification along with those recognized by law such as race, religion, and sex.
  • Dues Deduction: Oregon Tech proposed language allowing it to stop collecting dues from a member’s paycheck on the first of the month after a member requests cancellation. Currently, the University must wait to stop deducting dues until AAUP tells it to do so, even if the member wants to stop paying them. Typically, a union will allow members to cancel dues only within a specific time during the year. This new language would not affect any agreement AAUP has with the member.
  • Labor Management Committee: AAUP proposed that this Committee, which meets to discuss the implementation and administration of the contract, meet monthly during the academic year and that the AAUP members of the Committee receive three non-instructional workload units for service on the Committee.
  • Management Rights: The proposal seeks to ensure the understanding that Oregon Tech, and only Oregon Tech, can exercise certain rights and powers with respect to operating the University.
  • Association Rights: Oregon Tech proposed eliminating the release of AAUP bargaining team members from conducting non-instructional work because AAUP’s team members opted to not use this provision in this round of bargaining. The proposal also seeks to eliminate the requirement for Oregon Tech to provide certain information because that information either is not available or does not exist.
  • Distribution of the Agreement: AAUP proposed that Oregon Tech post a searchable contract on its websites, with hyperlinks, and that those websites on which the contract is posted comply with certain federal and state law.
  • Notices of Appointment: The University’s proposal would move the notice of non-renewal for tenure track from June 30 to June 1 and combine all non-tenure track non-renewals, regardless of length of time at the University, to be issued by April 1. 

Next Bargaining Session

February 13 from 2 pm to 5 pm and February 14 from 9 am to Noon. Thereafter, the parties agreed to meet every other week through March 13.

All Locations

negotiations@oit.edu

 


Background Facts

  • AAUP includes 139 faculty members
  • Current Contract Healthcare Benefits: 95-97% of the cost of healthcare is paid by OIT depending on the plan selected.

Current Faculty Contract Salary Increases

YearBase Salary IncreaseMerit Based Pool
20202% 
20213% 
20222.50% 
20231%1%
20241%1%
20251.50%1.50%
Contract total11%3.50%

Average salary of faculty on 9-month contract

Professor$99,393
Associate Professor$76,440
Assistant Professor$66,409

 

Average salary of faculty on 12-month contract

Professor$101,935
Associate Professor$99,127
Assistant Professor$75,947
OIT Expenses pie chart - 2025 Faculty Union Barganing

OIT Expenses

  • Salary and Benifits 73.2%
  • Service and Supplies 22.9%
  • Other 3.0%
OIT Revenues pie chart - 2025 Faculty Union Barganing

OIT Revenues

  • State Appropriations 55.7%
  • Tuition and Fees 42.9%
  • Other 4.4%

 


Next Bargaining Session
January 30 from 2 pm to 5 pm and January 31 from 9 am to Noon. Thereafter, the parties agreed to meet every other week through March 13.

 


Frequently Asked Questions

 

  • When will bargaining be done?
    • When both parties agree to a new contract.
  • Who is represented by the union?
    • 130 faculty members
  • Is there a chance they will strike?
    • The union has that option if a new contract is negotiated, but not until after the statutory requirements are fulfilled, which would likely not be until sometime in August.
  • What does the union want?
    • Please refer to the latest proposals from both parties above.
  • What factors impact negotiations?
    • There are many factors, including the increased costs of healthcare, overall revenue and expenses, and student enrollment (see facts above).
  • Can I watch the sessions online?
    • Observers can be present in the main bargaining room. Advance notice of virtual observers must be given to Oregon Tech, are limited in number and must use their Oregon Tech credentials to log-on to the virtual platform. We will provide updates on this website following each session.