Sen. Morrisette Supports OUS Workers

Sen. Bill Morrisette Supports OUS Classified Employees

Click to see PDF of Letter

Senator Bill Morrisette
D-District 6
S-207, State Capitol
Salem, OR 97301
(503) 986-1706

March 20, 2009

Chancellor George Pernsteiner
Oregon University System
111 Susan Campbell Hall
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403

Chancellor Pernsteiner,

Recently, I had the chance to meet with classified staff from the University of Oregon. At the meeting the staff talked about the importance of funding the university system and how it is critical that we don't move backwards after our investment in OUS last session. The members were obviously committed to their jobs and to the success of the university.

They also spoke of the current contract negotiations that are happening between university classified staff and OUS. I am concerned regarding some of the proposals that they said were being discussed, such as furlough days written into the contract and rolling back language on union rights.

I understand the economic crisis and uncertainty facing the university system; it is facing the entire state. But at a time when we are asking state employees to do more with less and we are asking them to share in the sacrifice, we must be respectful of the important role they play in providing essential services.

I hope that as contract negotiations continue that the budget crisis is not used to roll back long-standing union rights provisions and that we are working hard to find reasonable and respectful ways to work with staff to find ways to cut costs to help ease the budget crisis.

Sincerely,

Cc: Jay Kenton, Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration