Bargaining in 2020 has begun! Unfortunately, we don’t have too much to share yet. We spent our first two meetings laying ground rules and figuring out what an all-virtual bargaining session will look like. This means we’re still hashing out the details of how and when observers will join us.
What we do know is the important role observers have in the bargaining process. Being a digital observer will be different from the feeling of being physically present with us at the bargaining table, but we’re choosing to see the silver lining: A Zoom bargaining experience will hopefully create an accessible way for more members to join us throughout the process.
We can’t overstate the value of having observers at bargaining. At every session, the bargaining team is there representing roughly 1,400 PSU adjuncts. Observers show management that we are bargaining on behalf of this broad group of faculty and researchers, and that we are all in this together. Then there’s the transparency. Over the years, members have continuously told us how being a bargaining observer opened their eyes to the uphill battle we and other PSU workers face when asking for the bare minimum of rights, pay, and protections. Lastly, it means the world to the bargaining team to not be alone. Bargaining is exhausting—mentally and physically—but being surrounded by our coworkers reminds us what we’re fighting for.
Until we have more information about observing, we’re excited to share some custom PSUFA Zoom and D2L avatars and screen backgrounds to share with our members. (Check out this example from Brown University to see some in action!)
It’s beginning to look like observers will not be able to use video, so we’re encouraging observers to change your Zoom avatar to the small “Adjunct at work” square. So even though we won’t be able to see your face, your presence will be felt in our wall of adjunct avatars and the number of participants at the meeting. We encourage you to use the D2L banner and Zoom background in your other work and meetings!
Ready to get started? Visit this Google Drive folder to access the instructions and images.
Our next bargaining session is Friday May 8th. We’ll be discussing union rights and how the new Oregon law HB 2016, among other things. We’ll see you back on the bargaining blog with updates!