On Nov. 13 the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation and the University of Oregon returned to mediation as the potential GTFF strike approaches. The mediation session did not yield an agreement, and the GTFF will continue in their preparation to strike.

The GTFF and the administration have been bargaining since November 2013, and after a failure to reach an agreement at the bargaining table the GTFF voted to strike on Oct. 24. The GTFF has requested two weeks of paid leave as well as a 5.5 percent raise of the minimum salary for all GTFs for two years. The university offered two proposals: A 6 percent raise per year of the minimum for two years to level one GTFs and 3 percent to levels two and three, or 5 percent in the first year and 4 percent in the second of the minimum for all GTFs.

Interim Provost Frances Bronet released the following comment:

“I am disappointed that the bargaining teams didn’t reach agreement during the latest mediation session. The university is still committed to negotiations and we hope the union and its members will also continue to work toward a contract that meets the needs of everyone. We don’t want a strike, but we are prepared to minimize disruption for everyone. We value the contribution of GTFs, and the current offer reflects that – in many ways that go above and beyond other universities.”