Members of the Coalition of Graduate Employees/AFT at Oregon State University have achieved one of their top goals in forming a union three years ago--adequate healthcare coverage. After months of negotiation, this summer, the union secured a letter of agreement from the university granting the 700-member bargaining unit comprehensive health benefits for now and its own plan down the road.

The plan steadily increases members' health and wellness stipend for the next academic year, which will enable grad students to leave the voluntary student plan that previously was the only option offered. Grad students had been given $110 per term to use for health insurance--one-half the $220 per-term premium of the voluntary plan. But as benefits on the plan became subject to change, many grad students found the plan of limited value.

Under the agreement, the university will establish a CGE health plan in 2004 and cover 75 percent of all health insurance costs in 2005. The agreement contains biennial reopener provisions, though it allows renegotiation if insurance premiums increase more than 10 percent a year.

The union was able to deliver this benefit through the hard work of organizing--both its own members and students and faculty.

"What impressed me most was the support we got from faculty," says Mindy Crandall, CGE vice president and bargaining team member. "Their awareness helped to move negotiations along,"

     Faculty and students joined CGE members at events throughout the academic year, where CGE held signature drives to build its membership by 300 percent and prepare for the bargaining table. A May rally and march to the president's office attracted more than 100 people. Luke Ackerman, president of CGE, credits the healthcare victory to "all the members who joined the union, signed petitions and came out to the events."      Ackerman also acknowledges graduate employees from years past for their vision in forming the union and pressing for healthcare rights, noting that they fought for benefits they would never receive.

"A big thanks needs to go out to all the CGE activists who had the foresight to see that only a union could secure our benefits and act as a watchdog for our workplace rights," Ackerman.

CGE members were scheduled to hold the ratification vote on Aug. 14. [Mark Henson]

[August 8, 2003]