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3 actions Local 083 members can take to win a fair contract

Oregon State University management is stalling. Our union is moving. Here is what members can do now.

By SEIU Local 503 at Oregon State University

Published Updated after the

Purple 2026 higher education bargaining graphic with raised fists and campus mascots.

Our union is moving fast. Our bargaining team is pushing for a contract that respects classified staff and the work we do. Every email, pledge and membership conversation gives our team more power at the table.

Management's latest offer includes 0% cost-of-living adjustments over four years, a 19-year path from Step 1 to Step 10, and rollbacks to layoff and contracting-out protections. We do not have to accept an offer that balances budgets on workers' backs.

01Take action today

Email President Murthy and the OSU Board of Trustees

Tell them, in your own words, that you are disappointed and upset by OSU management's bargaining position. Ask them to make OSU settle a fair contract with real raises and strong workplace protections.

The prepared email includes the key facts and opens in your email program so you can personalize it before sending.

Why contact the Board of Trustees?

The Board of Trustees is Oregon State University's governing body. The Board hires and evaluates the president, approves the university's budget, oversees OSU's financial integrity and helps set the institution's direction.

Trustees do not negotiate our contract at the bargaining table. They are responsible, however, for OSU's leadership and priorities. Members should make sure they hear directly from the classified staff who keep the university running.

Learn more from OSU about the Board's governance role and formal responsibilities.

02Coming next week

Sign the strike pledge

Our union's strike pledge will come out next week. Watch your inbox, read it and sign it promptly when it arrives.

We will add the link to this page as soon as the pledge is available.

03Build our union

Become a member—and ask one coworker to join

Management pays attention to how organized we are. Every member strengthens our bargaining position and makes it harder to dismiss our demand for fair raises.

Joining our union sends a clear message: We reject 0% raises, we value our work and we are ready to win a fair contract.

Already a member? Ask one coworker, “Are you a member yet?” Then send them the signup link.

One email. One pledge. One conversation.

Each action builds our power. Together, these three steps show OSU that classified staff are informed, organized and ready to stand with one another.

Read the latest bargaining update for more detail about management's proposal.