In the Spring of 2024, the OA Council surveyed OAs; this started out as a Health & Wellness initiative, focusing on engagement, belonging, satisfaction, and similar topics, however the questions of pay and unionization couldn’t be left out of the equation when asking about the current concerns of OAs. The report lists the findings of the multiple-choice questions, as well as the themes found in the open-text response questions.
Key highlights:
- Nearly 500 OAs responded to the survey; this represents approximately one third of all OAs.
- 91% of OA respondents desire an OA pay increase plan. To be communicated 6 months – two years in advance (desire for a similar multi-year plan implemented in 2022).
- OA respondents feel that merit increases should fall under a separate process and not paired with or in place of an Across-the-Board increase (or Cost of Living Increase). There were a number of comments to provide context.
- OA respondents expressed concern about recent SEIU increases and how this compresses OA salaries, including OA supervisors who supervise SEIU staff.
- 51% of OA respondents favored OA unionization, 23% are against unionization while 26% of respondents had mixed feelings or felt they needed more information.
- 85% of OA respondents feel somewhat or extremely engaged with their work.
There is still analysis continuing on the survey data; as you all provided many thoughtful comments and ideas that we are using to focus our recommendations, our discussions with UO Administration, and our goals for the OA Council.
We hope you will take the opportunity to read the report: OA Council Survey Report Spring 2024.