Portland State’s adjunct faculty union is celebrating what it calls a historic labor win against the university in an unfair labor practice case.
In a ruling earlier this month, the Oregon Employment Relations Board found that PSU had violated state labor law when it withheld certain funds meant for Portland State University Faculty Association members over the summer. PSUFA represents more than 1,200 adjunct faculty and researchers at Portland State.
Union leaders estimate the university withheld about $100,000 in previously agreed upon professional development and emergency financial assistance funds. The ERB’s decision orders PSU to immediately release that funding, plus a 9% prorated interest.
“It’s a major victory for adjunct faculty and for the adjunct faculty union,” PSUFA Bargaining Chair Vasiliki Touhouliotis said at a rally in support of the ruling on Thursday. “It is a strong message to PSU that they cannot act with impunity and that they are not above the law.”
The decision in favor of the union hinged on whether Portland State maintained normal working conditions for represented adjunct faculty, or a “status quo,” while PSUFA bargains over a new contract with the university. The union’s contract with Portland State expired on June 30 and negotiations are still ongoing.
PSUFA filed an unfair labor practice with the state in...
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