Oregon Public University Custodians Avoid Strike

Custodians at Oregon’s seven public universities avoided a strike planned for this week when representatives of their union, Service Employees International Union 503 (SEIU 503) reached an agreement with the university officials over the weekend, KOIN 6 News reports.

The agreement included a 5.1% cost of living adjustment over the next two years, as well as a wage increase of 4.75% in each year of the next contract. The agreement also moves 15 job classifications to higher salary ranges and provides custodians with 48 hours of paid time in the event of campus closures or late starts.

In addition to custodians, SEIU 503 represents university workers in food service, technology, financial aid, and office service. The union was seeking a cost-of-living increase of 6% over 2 years and the public university system was offering a 4% increase.