Keep Up To Date With Bargaining!
Want to stay up-to-date on the latest bargaining proposals? Check out the bargaining tracker to see what our latest proposals are and read our bargaining updates here!
Bargaining FAQ:
| What is bargaining? | Bargaining, sometimes referred to as collective bargaining, is a period of time where two parties negotiate with one another to set a contract with terms and conditions for a population. The graduate employee union is bargaining with the PSU administration currently to get our platform approved so that we have better conditions for graduate students. The contract legally binds the two parties to a set of conditions, meaning that if the PSU administration goes against the agreed upon terms, the GEU can pursue legal action against them. |
| How can I support the bargaining team? | The best way to support is by attending the bargaining sessions. There is usually an option to join virtually or in-person. Although, attending in-person puts pressure on the PSU administration, and provides the B-team with emotional support as they argue. At these meetings, you will get to witness the administration argue heavily against providing the basic needs of students like you. |
| How has this helped us before? | According to the previous contract, the administration was meant to include a cost of living adjustment (COLA) in the Fall of 2024, but they did not. This meant that the graduate student population was not being paid appropriately for the work they were completing. The GEU was able to address this grievance and the graduate students received backpay for the Fall quarter. |
| What is a platform? | A platform is a set of conditions that the bargaining team is arguing should be part of the contract. Currently, we are interested in healthcare, fee remissions (including VISA fees), living wage, and an increased cost of living adjustment. |
| What is the B-team? | The bargaining team (B-Team) is a group of GEU members who are interacting with the administration to argue for your rights. Some of the members who do not interact directly with the administration help by researching things like healthcare plans that the school could provide for their students. |
| How long does it take? | Bargaining happens over the course of several months. This process requires the establishment of ground rules and many meetings where the B-Team will be presenting their platform to the administration. The administration may push back or ask for more specific details about the platform, then, between meetings, the B-Team will prepare that additional information. The administration may also present their platform to the B-Team, and the cycle happens again. This is usually what causes bargaining to take such a long time. |
| Why should I care? | The graduate students at Portland State are underserved by the school. In comparison to schools across the west coast, we are paid minimally and we do not receive the same benefits as our peers. Unlike PSU, most schools provide either health insurance or affordable plans for their students. |