What our new contract means: key dates and next steps

Our new contract is ratified.

Dates to know

• Pay scales rise 3% on November 1, 2026, and again on November 1, 2027.
• The contract runs through June 30, 2030. Bargaining reopens in February 2028 for the final two years’ COLAs; those increases are not yet settled.
• The reopener also allows each side to raise five other articles, excluding steps, health insurance and layoff.

Protections beyond pay

Annual steps and the low-cost 97/3 health plans remain protected. The summary also describes paid, 30-minute union orientations during new employees’ first 30 days and 48 hours of weather-closure leave in each of the 2026–2028 and 2028–2030 biennia.

Work still ahead

Selective-pay negotiations continue in 2027 for Library Techs, Trades Maintenance 1 and 2, Locksmiths and Pipefitters. UO childcare and PSU union-access issues have follow-up discussions due within 90 days of ratification.

Read our local contract summary →

This explainer is based on SEIU 503’s October 2 agreement summary, not the complete contract text.