The newly unionized postdoctoral researchers at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) are unhappy with the proposed wage offer of 0% raises over the course of a three-year contract. These researchers, who are currently funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, have been pushing for better compensation for their crucial role in the institution’s research projects.
In response to the no-raise proposal, members of the union picketed outside the building where negotiations were taking place on April 16. The union, represented by AFSCME Local 328, expressed their dissatisfaction with OHSU’s offer and called for fair wages that reflect the valuable contributions of these researchers to OHSU’s work in healthcare and research.
Despite their high level of education, postdoc researchers at OHSU currently earn an average of around $54,000, which is significantly lower than what they had expected when they joined the union in April 2023. The union is pushing for fair wages that reflect the valuable contributions of these researchers to OHSU’s work in healthcare and research.
As these negotiations continue, OHSU has also announced plans to acquire Legacy Health for $1 billion. This adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing discussions between the university and the newly unionized postdoctoral researchers. The outcome of these negotiations will have far-reaching implications for the future of these researchers and their work at OHSU.
The proposed wage offer has left many postdoctoral researchers feeling undervalued by their employer. They argue that their contributions to OHSU’s research projects are critical to its success and should be reflected in their compensation packages.
“We feel like we’re being taken advantage of,” said one postdoctoral researcher who spoke out during a recent protest outside OHSU’s campus. “We put in long hours and dedicate our lives to this work, yet we’re still not being paid what we deserve.”
The university has defended its decision not to offer any raises during negotiations as necessary given current financial constraints. However, critics argue that it sends a message that OHSU does not value its employees enough.
“This is about more than just money,” said another protestor. “It’s about respecting our worth as human beings.”