Our union’s notice identifies Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, at 6 a.m. as the intended strike start. Bargaining is scheduled for Sept. 24, with the goal of reaching an agreement that can avert a strike. [1]
Status source: our Sept. 18 notice report · Updated Sept. 19, 2026.
Bargaining continues. An agreement can still avert a strike. [1]
97% of Higher Ed members who voted supported authorizing a strike. [7]
Our union delivered the notice to OSU leadership at Kerr. [1]
Our team returns to negotiations to seek a fair agreement.
Prepare to stand together. Follow our union’s latest written instructions for any change.
Financial support has different rules, applications and payment timing. These amounts are not a promise that every worker will receive every benefit.
Our Sept. 15 announcement covers workers who are striking and attend a picket line. Ask our organizer about registration, attendance requirements, approved accessible alternatives and payment timing. [2]
Strike pay is taxable income. A tax-form reporting threshold does not make the payment tax-free. [3]
Our announcement says active strikers facing hardship may submit a bill for assistance, initially up to $1,000 and no more than missed pay. This is a separate application, not an automatic extra payment. [2]
Ask our executive team for the application process and what documents to provide privately.
Eligible striking workers may apply for Oregon unemployment benefits. Waiting requirements and weekly eligibility apply; payment is not automatic after two weeks. [4]
List essential bills and due dates. Contact local food, housing and utility programs before a missed payment becomes an emergency.
Our meeting raised practical questions about money, work and family responsibilities. Start here, then use the detailed guides or contact a steward about your situation.
Yes. Budget for strike pay as taxable income. IRS Publication 525 includes union strike benefits in income. Receiving no tax form, or receiving less than a reporting threshold, does not make income tax-free. Keep payment records and ask for written tax information; do not assume hardship assistance has the same treatment in every case. [3]
No. Our notice states an intended start and a commitment to bargaining on Sept. 24. A settlement could avert a strike. Follow current written directions from our union for any change in the start time or return to work; an authorization vote alone does not tell you when to stop work. [1] [5]
Confirm that your position belongs to our SEIU Higher Ed classified bargaining unit. Other workers at OSU may have different contracts and rules. Tell our organizer or a steward about disability, travel, shift or caregiving barriers and ask for an approved assignment. Financial eligibility for an alternative assignment needs confirmation; the published benefit announcement specifies picket attendance. [2] [5]
Get written confirmation for your appointment before relying on a coverage date or changing scheduled care. Ask OSU Benefits about coverage, employer contributions, your premium share and continuation options. Ask a steward about planned leave and strike participation. Do not treat a meeting example as a guarantee for every worker. [6]
Use the written picket schedule and check-in instructions issued by our strike leadership. Proposed locations and volunteer ideas discussed at a meeting are not a complete schedule. For work time and strike absences, obtain written OSU Payroll instructions for your employee group and timekeeping system, and keep an accurate personal record.
Ask before alternating between work and strike days, accepting an alternate assignment or changing an approved leave plan. Contact our stewards.
The notice identifies unresolved issues involving wages and cost-of-living adjustments, insurance, contracting out, layoffs, trial service and contract duration. Our goal is a contract members can approve that supports the people who keep our universities running. Read dated bargaining updates for specific proposals; an earlier offer is not necessarily the current one. [1]
Save contacts, prepare household records, plan for unpaid time and ask about participation barriers.
Understand the legal process, protected activity, management questions and when to ask for representation.
Separate strike pay, hardship assistance, unemployment, health coverage and possible back pay.
Find Corvallis-area resources and community action contacts for all 36 Oregon counties.
Consider collective bargaining power, the costs of a strike and honest questions from coworkers.
Read a sourced timeline of U.S. and Oregon organizing, including victories and difficult outcomes.
Source check: Sept. 19, 2026. Our meeting notes inform the questions; published notices, agency guidance and law support the factual answers.