OSEA & OSEASU Bargaining
See what management's proposal really does.
Last Updated: November 11, 2025
OSEA & OSEASU Bargaining
Last Updated: November 11, 2025
Wages
Compared to other Oregon staff unions, our field staff are up to 33% under market average for their position and experience - making OSEA the lowest paying union in the state.
Method: median of comparator set, as provided to OSEA management.
Management Offer
OSEA management is proposing a 5% wage increase.
Result
OSEA members will continue to have inconsistent support as positions turnover and the organization's trust is damaged. Over the duraction of the last contract, 32 (out of 33) positions were vacated.
Insurance
Management's proposal puts the burden of rising insurance rates onto our members. Some of our members will have insurance contribution rates above $1,000/mo. Under their proposal, with wages and insurance costs considered, four members take a loss in pay.
Penalty on Choice
Members who choose MODA face an added monthly cost. This will disincentivize all staff positions outside of the i5 belt.
Single Coverage
For the first time, single employees on MODA will pay out of pocket, regardless of Kaiser eligibility.
Contribution Gap
Employer contribution does not keep pace with premium increases, shifting cost to members, and becoming the only staff union in the state which does not provide 100% insurance to single employees.
Inflation
Nominal raises that lag inflation become real cuts. Sustained gaps compound over time — forcing skilled staff to leave and OSEA members to deal with turnover.
CPI-U compared to OSEA wage increases since 2019. Projected a 3% CPI rate for 2026 and calculated management's raise at 3.07% inclusive of insurance expenses.
Wage Freezes
OSEA Staff have felt the pain. Since 2019, OSEA Staff took 0% increases for a total of three years.
Spending Power
As costs continue to soar, and increases are outpaced by inflation, staff spending power is dwindling.
Retention
Real cuts correlate with separation spikes at year-end postings.
Workload
Management rejected all workload provisions.
Union Proposal
OSEASU's proposal is focused on retaining, sustaining, and supporting staff to ultimately facilitate the Union OSEA members deserve to be a part of.
Wages
OSEASU is proposing a 25% wage increase, designed to outpace inflation and to raise wages to be more competitive so OSEA members can have the staff they deserve, without fear they will leave in their first year.
Insurance
A package that gradually incentivizes Kaiser insurance plans so that our members don't see immediate and substantial increases now - allowing for members to plan to switch providers if it's right for them. No single employees will pay an out of pocket contribution for insurance.
Working Conditions
Clear workload caps and protections and enforceable staffing ratios.
Budget
OSEA reserves are incredibly healthy, based in part on years of vacancy savings due to OSEA's inability to retain quality staff. Our proposal even falls well within OSEA's adopted budget for the year.
Figures generated by calculating uncontested rollup costs, salaries (with steps), and insurance of bargaining unit members against the adopted OSEA budget.
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