Independent Investigator’s Report Resulting from ULP Settlement Released
If you have any questions about this report, please ask them in the comments below by April 26. Your questions will be compiled and sent to Cathryn Dammel for her response. Neither AFSCME Local 328 nor OHSU will be publicly commenting or interpreting this report, per the agreed-upon ground rules for this investigation.
Dear AFSCME Local 328 Represented Employees,
Last year, AFSCME Local 328 and OHSU resolved unfair labor practice complaints stemming from 2019 contract negotiations. As a condition of their settlement agreement, I was asked to conduct an independent investigation into certain allegations.
By way of background, my employer-employee experience spans over three decades - as a labor and employment attorney, a Human Resources advisor, a labor relations professional, and a workplace investigator. In a corporate role, I oversaw sixteen direct reports and a multimillion-dollar budget. I have also been a front-line union worker who handled employee grievances. Over the years, I have conducted hundreds of investigations as well assessments into workplace attitudes and cultures.
I had hoped to complete my investigation by mid-last year, but COVID intervened. That led to repeated delays and, ultimately, adjusting standard interview protocol from in-person to virtual. I recently completed all interviews, gathered other relevant information, wrote up my findings, and debriefed the parties. My report is linked here for your viewing.
By mutual agreement of the parties, my investigation was confined to two narrow questions: (1) Whether there was concrete, reliable evidence that any member of OHSU’s bargaining team other than the former Vice President of HR and a former financial manager engaged in social media trolling during bargaining; and (2) Whether there was any concrete, reliable evidence that Human Resources personnel harbored widespread, anti-union sentiment. Based upon my thorough review and consideration of all the evidence, the answer to both questions is “No.”
I believe my report speaks for itself. It lays out the facts, my analysis of those facts based upon the law, and my findings.
During the course of this investigation, I learned that AFSCME and OHSU had a mutual goal – to understand more about their labor/management relationship and find ways to make it better. They asked for my observations and recommendations in that regard. My assessment on that topic will be publicly released in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, thank you to all who participated for your time, candor, and genuine desire to make things better. It has been my pleasure working with you.
Sincerely,
Cathryn V. Dammel
Workplace Investigator and Assessor