Dear colleagues,

We are pleased to report that a tentative contract agreement has been reached between the University of Oregon and United Academics. Our understanding is that United Academics will not be initiating a strike tomorrow and instead will be taking this tentative agreement to their members for a ratification vote. Classes and other university activities and operations should not be affected as we begin spring term. This resolution marks more than an agreement—it signals a transition from a season of uncertainty toward one of renewal and growing trust.

We are grateful to the members of the UA and UO bargaining teams for the many hours they worked together to reach a tentative agreement. Negotiating a contract of this magnitude is inherently difficult, especially when the issues at stake are so important. These conversations required persistence and a willingness to remain at the table even when tensions were high and principled disagreements were at their most acute. However challenging, the bargaining teams found a path forward that will serve the shared interest of our university community. We thank all involved for engaging in this difficult but necessary work. 

We are very pleased to have reached a tentative agreement that invests in faculty and supports the long-term financial well-being of the university. While salary was a focal point of recent negotiations, many other terms will be updated through the agreement.

More details about the terms of the tentative agreement, including salary, are available on the HR website.

We recognize that an unresolved collective bargaining agreement and the prospect of a faculty strike have been unsettling for our community. Thank you for your patience as we worked our way through this evolving situation. Disagreement is a natural part of any community committed to growth. While uncomfortable, working through conflict can also deepen our relationships and open new opportunities for meaningful connection. 

As we begin the Spring term, may the spirit of collective work that led us to this tentative agreement take root and grow, nourished by our shared commitment to one another, our students, and the entire university community.

Sincerely,

Christopher P. Long
Provost and Senior Vice President

Mark Schmelz
Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer