The union representing Oregon Institute of Technology faculty went on strike Monday.
The union and the university negotiated over the weekend, but they were not able to reach an agreement. The two parties have been in contract talks since fall 2019.
鈥淲e organized our union in record time and we鈥檙e the first faculty ever to go on strike in Oregon,鈥� said Mark Clark, professor of history and OT-AAUP past president in a release shared Monday morning.
鈥淚 hope Oregon Tech鈥檚 senior administration is prepared to negotiate a similarly historic contract.鈥�
In all, 92% of voting union members voted to authorize a strike, according to the union.
The union wants Oregon Tech to increase wages, provide secure benefits, and a 鈥漜learly-defined workload鈥� for faculty. The university has said it can鈥檛 afford the union鈥檚 compensation demands.
In a press release shared by the university Monday, officials say classes will proceed as faculty strike 鈥渨ith minimal disruption to classes or services.鈥�
Last week, OIT a petition with the Oregon Employment Relations Board, requesting a faculty strike declared 鈥渦nlawful.鈥�
Oregon Tech officials said classes will be covered by other faculty, and that students should continue to attend classes unless otherwise notified.
At a Board of Trustees meeting earlier this month, one of OIT鈥檚 student leaders many students support the faculty.
In its statement, Oregon Tech asked the union to consider its 鈥渆xceptional鈥� offers.
鈥淎t this time when...universities and colleges are facing economic uncertainty, it is prudent for Oregon Tech Faculty to value an institution that has made such an offer, and work diligently to conclude negotiations,鈥� according to the statement.
Monday morning, the union held demonstrations and rallies both in-person and virtually through an 鈥渙nline picket live stream鈥� on , featuring stories from staff, students and alumni. The event ended with quotes from OIT faculty.
鈥淥nly with a fair contract can we retain and recruit faculty capable of advancing the mission of Oregon Tech,鈥� read a message from humanities and social sciences professor Kyle Chapman.
The union says it will continue until an agreement is reached.
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