Budget Talks Update #8 --Awaiting a Counterproposal

The AFSCME Local 328 COVID-19 Impact Response Team met with OHSU again yesterday. At this meeting, we clarified with the employer that our union is rejecting a delay of our July 1 across-the-board wage increase.

We also made it clear that it’s not a shared interest for our represented employees to cover OHSU’s stated need for $15 million. This amount represents less than 1.1% of OHSU’s $1.4 billion in reserves. That being said, our proposed letter of agreement would save OHSU up to $6 million (per the employer’s costing); our suggestions for an early-retirement program and OHSU Foundation fundraising campaign would also help the employer with its budget issues.

We’ve requested that OHSU provide Local 328 with a written counterproposal by the end of the business day on Tuesday, June 9, along with a response regarding early retirement and a fundraising campaign, as well as the details from an information request or two.

The CIRT’s next meeting with the employer is scheduled for Thursday, June 11. In the meantime, please continue to share your feedback.