We wanted to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who signed an authorization card to form our new union and give a special shout out to everyone who helped gather signatures or talked to their coworkers about unionizing. On Friday, April 26th, we officially submitted our application for certification to the state labor board!
What comes next:
The Oregon Employment Relations Board will request a list of eligible employees from OHSU. Once received, they will cross reference our cards with the list to verify that those who signed are still employed and in the correct classification as of our filing date (4/26/2024). The ERB does not share the cards with OHSU, so your card will remain confidential. The board may also review the list of classifications and determines which positions will be included in the bargaining unit, if the union and OHSU disagree on this point. We anticipate that all research classifications will be included. Ultimately, the ERB will confirm whether a majority of the bargaining unit signed authorization cards.
If we have a majority, we have a union!
Once again, thank you for your participation in this process. A union is only as strong as its members and the relationships that we build with each other. Conscious, engaged research workers standing together in solidarity will make OHSU the best workplace it can be – not only now, but for generations to come.
If you have yet to sign a card, it might not be too late! The ERB sometimes allows a grace period between initial filing and receipt of the employer's list. We will continue submitting cards as they come in, all the way up to the point that OHSU provides the list to the ERB.
In the meantime, here are some ways you can pitch in to help other union members at OHSU:
- There will be a food drive for the grad students in GRU in May. More details to come, but you can donate to the GoFundMe now.
- Come support the Postdocs at their next bargaining mediation on May 21st at noon at Elizabeth Caruthers Park outside of CHH2 for another picket. RWU support at the last picket was invaluable to the postdocs, so hope to see you there!
Solidarity forever,
RWU
