State Senator Woods, State Representatives Hartman, Muñoz and Nelson have all written letters to the Cudd administration and Board of Trustees demanding settling a fair contract. This follows similar letters from State Treasurer Steiner and City Councilors Avalos, Green, Koyama Lane, and Morillo.
Rep Hartman writes:
Dear PSU Administrators,
I’m writing today to express my deep concern over the ongoing contract negotiations between Portland State University and the members of the PSU Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (PSU-AAUP). The dedicated faculty and staff at PSU are the backbone of the institution—mentors, researchers, and advocates who ensure that students receive a high- quality education and the support they need to succeed, and I urge you to take meaningful steps toward securing a fair contract that prioritizes them.
I applaud PSU’s commitment to being a leader in serving minority students. Yet, its reluctance to fairly compensate faculty and staff for bilingual and multilingual services is a black stain on this commitment. These services are important to ensuring accessibility and equity in higher education, and it is unacceptable that PSU workers are among the only public employees in the city who do not receive proper compensation for this essential labor.
Furthermore, PSU’s faculty and staff are experiencing alarming levels of economic insecurity. Low wages, stagnant pay raises that do not keep up with inflation, and high turnover create an unstable learning environment that affects both workers and the students they serve. While the university holds $185 million in reserves, it has chosen to impose layoffs rather than investing in the educators who bring in over $83 million in research funding each year, directly benefiting our state’s economy, public health, and environmental sustainability
At a time when nearly half of PSU students have faced housing and food insecurity, it is more important than ever that you prioritize the people that make PSU so unique. I strongly encourage you to bargain in good faith, halt unnecessary layoffs, and negotiate a contract that ensures fair wages, job security, and dignity for faculty and staff.
Read Rep. Hartman’s full letter here.
Rep. Nelson writes:
Dear Portland State University Administrators,
I stand in strong support and solidarity of Portland State University faculty and staff in their fight for a fair contract. These workers are essential to the university’s mission, yet they continue to face financial insecurity, stagnant wages, and a lack of compensation for bilingual and multilingual skills which are benefits provided by other public employers in Portland.
Despite Portland State University’s commitment to serving minority and first-generation students, contract delays jeopardize educational outcomes. Faculty bring in over $83 million in research funding and teach more than 20,000 students annually, many of whom rely on financial aid.
I write this with deep concern and empathy for the situation. While funding challenges at the federal level are real, Portland State University has $185 million in reserves. These are state resources that could appropriately be used to invest in its educators and uphold its commitment to quality education. Now more than ever, we must strengthen and preserve the educational foundation that equips our students with the support and guidance they need. I urge the administration to reach a fair agreement that properly compensates these dedicated workers and ensures stability for the students they serve.
Read Rep. Nelson’s full letter here.
Find more support from Senator Aaron Woods who writes:
I am writing to share my concern about the current contract negotiations between Portland State University and the members of the Portland State University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). I stand behind the members of the PSU-AAUP and urge the administration to collaborate with PSU-AAUP represented workers and take immediate action to settle a fair contract.
Full letter here.
And finally, State Representative, Lesly Muñoz who writes:
As an advocate for fair labor practices, I urge your administration to collaborate with PSU-AAUP represented workers to settle a fair contract. I stand in solidarity with PSU-AAUP in their efforts to secure a fair contract, including protections against further layoffs and wage stagnation. Faculty and staff are vital to the success of PSU, and their efforts directly impact the quality of education and support PSU provides for students.
Full letter here. |
