The Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation/AFT reached a healthcare agreement with the University of Oregon that lowers deductibles and provides a measure of protection against unpredictable rate hikes.

GTFF, which represents more than 1200 graduate teaching fellows and research assistants at the university, annually renegotiates parts of its healthcare agreement with the university in a process separate from the biennial collective bargaining contract negotiations.  This year’s healthcare agreement extends through Sept. 15, 2006. The highlight of the settlement is a lowering of deductibles for single coverage, from $200 to $100 and for family coverage from $600 to $300. The university also agreed to cover healthcare cost increases up to 20 percent each year. If costs increase beyond 20 percent, the university will cover 90 percent of these increased costs.

"This is an excellent agreement considering the general financial conditions of the state," says Richard Schwarz, executive director of AFT Oregon, adding that "there is still room for improvement in the total compensation package for graduate teaching fellows."

Negotiations began to intensify after the GTFF rallied more than 150 graduate teaching fellows at an early September meeting. Nearly 40 of them crowded into the negotiations room to show their determination to hold out for a better healthcare package. For more information visit the GTFF Web site. [Lindsay Albert]

[Sept. 24, 2003]