Postdoc Researchers Need Our Support!
Rally for Research March 20th - Noon - at the Mac Hall fountain.
We are the Postdoc Workers United, and OHSU is pushing our union towards escalated actions and a first contract strike is not off the table. OHSU is accelerating towards mediation and an impasse with an insulting ZERO COST economic offer and NO improvements to our benefits or leave time. We are the backbone of OHSU's research mission and are largely self-funded, meaning OHSU pays ZERO DOLLARS for our labor. OHSU not only fails to compensate us fairly, but also siphons off more than half of the research dollars we generate. Our current proposals barely dent OHSU’s billion-dollar budget, costing a mere 0.1% and only 1% of the research budget OHSU we bring in.
This is a full-on affront to all unions at OHSU and sets a dangerous precedent. We are calling on all unions to fight back! OHSU needs to pay their fair share but has shown they are unwilling to pay a single penny.
Who are the Postdoc Workers United?
Pioneers of new cures — These are researchers with graduate degrees who perform biomedical research. This research leads to future cures, and future jobs for all of OHSU. For example, immunotherapy for cancer treatment was discovered by a postdoc that has now led to a better alternative to chemotherapy that is just now becoming a standard cancer treatment. That means better treatment but also creates new jobs for doctors, nurses, phlebotomists, provider support staff and more.
International workers — The nature of their work and trends in postdoc hiring means more than half of them are international workers. Unlike the private sector, OHSU expects visa holders to pay for their own immigration fees.
What are our top issues?
● Pay — We are being underpaid and there are gross pay inequities across departments at OHSU which is in breach of the Oregon Equal Pay Act.
● Leave time — Postdocs are given a measly 40% less vacation time than all other OHSU employees. Why?
● Immigration — International postdocs are expected to pay up to $5,000 on immigration and are expected to use their precious vacation time to renew their visas.
● DEI Initiatives — OHSU's research initiatives have perpetuated inequities for underrepresented demographics (black or African American, Latinx or Hispanic, and indigenous people). Furthermore, postdocs are strongly discouraged from having families making inequities for women and birthing parents.
● Employee status — Postdocs are the only grant-funded positions that are inappropriately labeled as independent contractors, putting them at a financial and tax disadvantage. We deserve recognition and fair treatment as employees!
OHSU has flat-out rejected all of their proposals with NO justification and has even threatened that any cost will lead to layoffs. OHSU has already had a string of bad press that frames them as an institution that values greed, a billion dollar acquisition, and corruption while taking credit for the profits and prestige our research brings.
Regardless, postdocs, grads and research staff around the country are winning big by taking a stance and fighting back. Examples from California, Washington, Illinois, and New York clearly show that there is a rising tide of researchers ready to fight.
Layoffs are empty threats
When OHSU claims that increasing our costs will lead to layoffs, we call BS!
How will layoffs impact postdocs?
Temporarily, this puts postdocs back on the job market, which is very, very good for us. OHSU needs to pay more attention to us as the highly skilled, valuable employees that we are. They are grossly underpaying us, and we have highly marketable skills and plenty of job opportunities. Why care about fixing a broken system, then? This research work is a public service that needs to be preserved. Otherwise, research will be controlled by corporate entities rather than serving the public good. We believe in that, and OHSU should not be holding our passion hostage because they don’t want to pay a cent for our labor.
How will layoffs impact OHSU?
Detrimentally in the short and long-term financial goals of OHSU. Last year, a record-breaking $600 million of research funding was brought into OHSU! ALL research grants are acquired with the purpose of producing the research. If the Postdocs and Researchers are laid off due to cost, that means there will be nobody to support these grants. This will lead to a depreciation for future funding.
How will layoffs impact Oregonians?
OHSU is a state-run institution and has an obligation to treat Oregonians. But, OHSU’s research & innovation mission is essential for bringing international recognition to Oregon. Laying off their postdoc and research staff means dropping the thing that makes OHSU stand apart from other hospitals. This will lead to poor recruitment of medical residents, and doctors, meaning Oregonians will no longer benefit from cutting-edge treatments.
How will layoffs impact OHSU’s ratings?
OHSU’s improved credit status is in part due to the growth in research funding. Postdocs are the future grant reviewers. If OHSU does not support researchers, we will not approve their future federal grants. DEEMING OHSU AS AN INCAPABLE RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT – PERIOD.
The time for action is now. The voices of all of our unions are powerful, and together, we can hold OHSU accountable for their disregard of postdocs and researcher's rights and fair treatment. The Rally for Research on March 20th at noon, at the Mac Hall fountain will be a statement of our unwavering determination to fight for what is right. Join us, and together, let's demand a brighter and more equitable future for all at OHSU.