September 15, 2011 - Yesterday and today the Oregon University System held a mediated 19-hour bargaining session with the Service Employees International Union 503 (SEIU) and reached a tentative 2-year settlement agreement early this morning. The SEIU represents about 4,000 classified employees who work at the seven OUS institutions and one branch campus.

SEIU members at the OUS campuses will meet later today to hear details of the settlement agreement. SEIU has stated that a mail ratification vote will be conducted to give all members an opportunity to vote on the agreement.

OUS chancellor George Pernsteiner said, “Our thanks go out to all members of both bargaining teams for their hard work towards reaching an agreement. The OUS classified staff are an integral part of all of our campuses and our collective work to help students achieve success at our universities.” 

Details of the settlement will be released to the public at 1:00 p.m. today.

Oregon University System (OUS) comprises seven distinguished public universities, reaching more than one million people each year through on-campus classes, statewide public services and lifelong learning. The Oregon State Board of Higher Education, the statutory governing board of OUS, is composed of eleven members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon State Senate. For additional information, go to www.ous.edu