Bargaining update 08.12.2026
Marc Meadows
Bargaining update 08.12.2026 | Non-discrimination - Union Provisions - Health and Safety - Recognition and Union Security
Union Provisions
- Bargaining unit lists
We are getting close to an agreement, and are ironing out the finer details of how often and by when OHSU needs to provide our union with a list of house officers in our bargaining unit and their contact information. We hope to reach an agreement during our next session.
Health and Safety Standards
- Refusal to perform unsafe work
OHSU Counter: We received a counter proposal from OHSU with language regarding what constitutes unsafe work. They described this as work that would, "unduly endanger health beyond professional duty and the compact with society that physicians have."
Why it matters: We do not want contract language that could force house officers to work under unsafe conditions.
- Ergonomics and injury prevention
OHSU counter proposal: regarding ergonomics injury prevention, and communicable disease reports with updated information about procedures for submitting accommodations requests and exposure and injury reporting. We are working on counter proposals for these articles.
- Unsafe Patient Care Settings
OHSU counterproposal: Their offer limits the scope of safety provisions for offsite clinical settings to home visits. We are working on a proposal that encompasses all patient care settings.
Why it matters: We need to make sure that our members are safe doing their jobs no matter where they go to provide patient care.
- Compensation for bed bug eradication
OHSU tabled this proposal, as they deemed it to have a financial component that they require to be bargained with the broader financial package.
Recognition and union security
Our union proposed that if house officers performing research receive payment from a grant or fellowship at OHSU, they be considered part of our bargaining unit. We also proposed that house officers hired at Knight Cancer Group be considered part of our bargaining unit.
Why it matters: We want residents performing research years or otherwise employed by Knight Cancer to be considered as part of our bargaining unit without having to jump through the hoops of certification or voluntary recognition. This might be a non issue, as we are not currently aware of any residents employed through Knight Cancer, but wanted to preempt any problems that could happen later.
In solidarity,
HOU Bargaining Team