1. What is at stake for us?

Our collective bargaining agreement (or “contract”) dictates all of our working conditions, benefits, and pay. We have bargained for many changes throughout the past year, but the main obstacles we still face are salary, the terms of the agreement, and support for international workers and working parents.

OSU’s most recent offer pairs a longer contract term with insultingly low salary raises that affect a minority of grad workers. They are asking us to accept wage stagnation and a dramatic limitation on how often we are able to negotiate the contract. Going on strike might be the only way we can preserve our rights and secure fair pay for our work. You can read both OSU’s and CGE’s last offers at this link.

 

2. Who gets to decide if we go on strike?

We do. This is a decision that affects all of our working conditions, so it is one we have to make together. Every CGE member (except associate members: see question 11), will be asked to cast an official “Strike Authorization” vote, and we will work hard to make sure every member does so. If the vote passes, the CGE bargaining team will be allowed to give the university notice of intent to strike and set a start date.

 

3. If I vote “yes” on a strike authorization vote, am I required to go on strike?

Voting “yes” on the strike authorization vote (SAV) does not immediately trigger a strike. It gives the bargaining team the ability to declare one, which they will only do if OSU does not meet the needs of our workers through the collective bargaining process. Striking is an absolute last resort, and the bargaining team will only call for one if it is absolutely necessary, and only if they have the support of the rest of OSU’s grad workers.

 

A strike will only be permitted if the SAV passes with 75% approval. 30% of CGE members must vote as a minimum, but we are aiming for supermajority participation.

 

4. If a strike is called, am I required to go on strike?

If the bargaining team calls for a strike, it is not a legal requirement for every GE to stop working. However, every single GE who continues to work during the strike (whether they are a member or not) actively diminishes the power of every worker on strike. Essentially, it would be a decision that would actively oppose your fellow workers who are fighting for everyone’s working conditions–including your own. That’s why it’s called “crossing the picket line” or “scabbing.” The best way to ensure our success, including a short strike, is for every single worker to withhold their labor together.

 

5. What exactly does it mean to go on strike?

It means we stop going to work and engage in organized picketing at various sites around OSU’s campus. If OSU is not willing to pay us fairly for our work, we can show them the value we bring to the university by walking off the job. This is the strongest way we can leverage our collective power to get a fair contract.

 

6. Am I required to notify my supervisor if I plan to go on strike?

There is no formal law or statute requiring GEs to notify their supervisors of intent to strike or participation in a strike. We have seen departments send out communications stating that GEs are required to notify their supervisors within a certain window so that their pay can be cut. This is an obvious attempt to intimidate workers from striking. 

 

Whether or not you notify your supervisor is up to you. Some supervisors are supportive and will work with you to develop a plan for your strike. In other instances, it might be empowering to tell your supervisor of your intent. We also recommend reaching out to your steward or other organizers in your department to see what their plans are and to work together to figure out your decision.

 

7. How long would a strike last?

The length of a strike is decided by membership. When a majority of members feel that we have gotten the best contract we can get, members can vote to close the strike.

 

8. What happens to my pay and other benefits?

In general, striking means ceasing work and forfeiting pay for the duration of the strike. However, CGE has planned for a number of contingencies to make taking this risk safer for workers. First, we have access to two strike funds, one internal and one through our state federation, AFT-Oregon, to provide compensation for striking workers. Two, we intend to negotiate back pay in some form as part of the final agreement with OSU, so we will work hard to provide retroactive support to counteract potentially lost wages. Third, we will time our strike so that we have as long as possible before the first missed pay period. 

 

While employers are technically allowed to end health benefits that they have not yet paid for, cutting health care is extremely rare and difficult logistically for the university to manage. OSU is much more likely to threaten the loss of health care to dissuade workers from going on strike than they are to actually cut health care. In the event that this does happen, we can use our collective resources to support workers in need through mutual aid networks in CGE and the community at large.

 

9. What about my visa?

It is illegal to retaliate against striking workers, including threatening your visa status. International and undocumented workers can participate in union activities, just as domestic workers do.

 

Universities are notorious for sending out misleading or threatening information about visas before or during a strike. For example, OHSU recently sent out an email to its workers ahead of a strike that made it seem like visas would be severed during a strike. If OSU sends out information regarding visa status that concerns you, please email solidarity@cge6069.org.

 

10. How would a strike affect my degree timeline?

It’s important to remember that if you go on strike, you’re only withholding your GTA or GRA labor, and you can continue to work on your student projects. If you’re a GRA and this distinction gets murky, see number 13.

 

11. Are fellows allowed to go on strike?

No, fellows are not in the bargaining unit and not protected during a strike. However, there are lots of ways fellows can honor the picket line and contribute to our collective effort. If you want to be more involved, please email vp_organizing@cge6069.org.

 

12. Are non-members in the bargaining unit (GTAs and GRAs who have not signed blue cards) allowed to go on strike?

Yes, if you’re represented by our contract you’re allowed to go on strike. However, we strongly urge you to sign a card if you intend to strike. Being a member is the only way you can vote on contract ratification, vote to end the strike, and receive wages from the strike fund. Become a member at this link.

 

13. My work as a GRA and my work as a student are closely connected or the same, what does a strike look like for me?

You’re not alone! Many other grads are in this situation and would love to talk to you about how to navigate the situation. We have been working hard to set up departmental organizing committees in every department so that workers can make their own plans to address these concerns. If you need contact information for your department’s organizing committee, please email vp_organizing@cge6069.org. 

 

14. I’m worried about my experiments/live test subjects.

It’s ultimately OSU’s responsibility to make sure that any basic lab maintenance happens during a strike. There are also ways that you can prepare for a potential strike. These plans could include advance-planning your experiments or informing supervisors that they may need to make alternative plans to take care of these subjects.

 

This is also a situation where departmental organizing committees can help. If you need contact information for your department’s organizing committee, please email vp_organizing@cge6069.org. 

 

15. Can I be fired or disciplined for going on strike?

The law protects our right to strike and makes any retaliation illegal. Moreover, every worker who participates in a potential strike increases our collective power and decreases the likelihood that anyone would experience unlawful retaliation.

 

16. Is there a way that I can support bargaining without going on strike?

If you’re affected by our contract, the best thing you can do to support our efforts is by engaging in the strike (and other collective actions) with the rest of us. Choosing not to strike if one is called* is your right, but it has a direct, negative effect on our bargaining. Every worker who crosses the picket line makes it that much harder for every striking worker to pressure OSU into giving us a fair contract.

 

If you’re not in our unit and want to support us, please consider donating to our strike fund. Donate on Venmo @CGE-OSU

 

*This is only in the case that the strike is authorized and scheduled. See questions 2 and 3 for the difference between a strike and an authorization vote.