The Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the University of Oregon on Sept. 15 for “failing to engage in the bargaining process in good faith,” and alleging the university was partaking in “superficial surface bargaining,” according to documents filed with the Oregon Employment Relations Board.
Surface bargaining is when one party goes through the motions of bargaining with no intent or willingness to reach an agreement. During bargaining, both parties, UO and GTFF, are expected to negotiate in good faith.
GTFF, which represents over 1,400 graduate employees, and UO met for the first mediation session on Sept. 16 after months of bargaining with little progress…