Bargaining update 10.14.2026

Vacation, Sick Leave, PLO/OFLA/FMLA, and more

On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the House Officers United bargaining team and OHSU management met for their 9th bargaining session of this negotiation cycle. It was a productive session! This summary does not include all topics negotiated. Several of the important points discussed are included below:

• We proposed several changes to the language regarding our current vacation policies to optimize resident vacation time as well as resident and program flexibility. This was discussed at length to account for differences across programs. 
• We advocated the house officers not be required to provide physician records to document illness, and that unused sick days be paid to house officers at 100% value.
• We advocated for increasing bereavement leave from 3 to 5 days.
• We advocated for expanded holidays recognized by OHSU, including New Year’s Eve, Christmas Eve, Eid ul-Fitr, and Yom Kippur, and that utilization of the Juneteenth holiday not be counted as time away from training.
• We advocated that house officers be provided four wellness half days and that these half days not be counted as time away from training.
• We advocated that residents scheduled to work major holidays be offered an alternative day off or that they receive a holiday bonus of $900.
• We advocated for measures to increase house officer access to primary care 
• We advocated that house officers who end a program at OHSU and begin a new program at OHSU maintain their credited time at OHSU to determine eligibility for FMLA, PLO, and/or OFLA, and that OHSU should match OFLA benefits for paid leave for new residents who do not yet qualify for protected leave under existing policies.
• A tentative agreement was reached to provide reasonable ergonomics to house officers upon request, and that requests shall not be unreasonably denied
• A tentative agreement was reached that if programs do not receive work schedules in a timely manner (within 3 months), conflicts may be escalated to Labor Relations, then grieved by the union if unresolved; partner institutions outside OHSU will also be requested to provide schedules 3 months in advance

Union bargaining sessions are open to the public and you are invited to attend as an observer! Next week (10/21 from 6:30PM-9PM), we are packing the bargaining room with residents as we will be tackling economics. Please RSVP if you are able to attend (details in link); we will gladly buy you dinner: https://forms.gle/PZwLga76Hq55Wj9V7

Please reach out to us if you have questions, concerns, or ideas. Hope to see you next Wednesday at CHH2!

In solidarity, 

House Officers United