The executive council of the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation (GTFF) at the University of Oregon last week unanimously called for a strike vote by the summer membership after battling with the university for seven months at the bargaining table.

"The university has made it clear that it has no regard for the work that GTFs do," said GTFF president Eric Lindgren.

The union has asked the University of Oregon to exempt graduate employees from a two-year wage freeze imposed by the governor on public employees, reports GTFF staff member David Cecil.  Although GTFF members are not considered public employees when it comes to retirement or health benefits, the university is classifying them as such in this instance to save money, says Cecil.  In addition, the university will only lower student fees from $275 to $235 per term until the wage freeze is over, and then return the charges to status quo levels.

"We cannot bargain only temporary gains for our members, especially temporary gains that don't rise to the level of cost-of-living adjustments," says Cecil.

"I know of no other situation where an employee would be given a raise, but told that she was going to have to give it back at a pre-determined date," said GTFF negotiator Jey Strangfeld.  According to Strangfeld, accepting the university's offer would mean union members ceding hard-fought gains. 

The issue of student fees has also affected another AFT local of graduate employees at Oregon State University, the Coalition of Graduate Employees (CGE).  GTFF members supported the CGE at a rally for a 75 percent reduction in fees last week.  Fees at OSU currently total $900 per term.

The University of Oregon has also refused to change its policies regarding the hiring of nonunion undergraduate students for teaching and grading, claiming these are "learning opportunities" for undergrads.  The GTFF is now seeking to organize the undergraduates, says Cecil.

The strike vote will likely occur in late June, says Cecil, and if members decide to strike, the walkout would occur towards the end of the summer term.  The strike would involve the 300 full members of the union who typically work during the summer and would effectively shut down half of the summer classes at the university.

GTFF is asking for support through an e-mail campaign to force the university to negotiate fairly.  To send a message in support of GTFF, go to http://gtff.net/mail/contact_uo.php. [Brian Dolber]