Portland, OR — Reed College Housing Advisors (HAs) represented by OPEIU Local 11 ratified a first union contract this month that increases compensation for HAs and provides greater job security for the student workers. The ratification vote passed with nearly 95% approval.
“We believe this contract is one of best providing job security, a voice at the table and economic provisions that will continue into the future for all Housing Advisors at Reed College.”
The agreement comes after Reed College’s bargaining team forged a last-minute deal with the union to avoid a picket planned in conjunction with graduation.
“We have bargained for this contract for 565 days, with new HAs being hired and old ones graduating. It wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of all HA’s standing together with support from the Reed Community,” said Max Costigan, a graduating senior at Reed College and a member of the union bargaining team. “Though I was prepared to carry a picket sign at my graduation, I’m glad we were able to agree on a contract before I walked.”
The two-year agreement provides minimum wage for the hours spent working at the mandatory, two-week training before school starts, in addition to the stipends they already receive for campus housing and meal plans. For most HAs, that will increase overall compensation by about $1,300 in 2025. HAs will also receive a one-time, $100 signing bonus. The added pay helps offset new security rounds that the college added to the HA job duties in 2023. At the time, Reed did not increase compensation for HAs despite the new duties, driving the group of 45 HAs to unionize.
“We have poured over many peer contracts across the country, and we believe this Collective Bargaining Agreement is one of best providing job security, a voice at the table and economic provisions that will continue into the future for all Housing Advisors at Reed College,” said OPEIU Rep Karyn Morrison, who led the union negotiation team, and OPEIU Executive Secretary Treasurer Howard Bell.
Under the contract, HAs can opt out of receiving a campus meal plan without decreasing the total meal plan stipend they receive. Reed College estimates that the meal plan stipend will be $8,050 for 2025-2026. The opt out option provides more flexibility for HAs to choose how they spend their meal stipend in a way that works best for their individual financial circumstances.
“Though I was prepared to carry a picket sign at my graduation, I’m glad we were able to agree on a contract before I walked.”
“Having housing is a big reason why I am an HA, but we still get charged for housing like every other student who lives on campus,” said Eli Rall, a rising senior at Reed College and a member of the union’s bargaining team. “With our new contract, I can opt out of the school’s meal plan and pocket the money to eat wherever I want. This win is something that helps compensate me for the added rounds that I now have to do throughout the year.”
HAs also won automatic rehire for returning employees, guaranteed winter housing over break if they apply and minimum wage for hours worked over winter and summer breaks. The agreement establishes a Labor-Management Committee (LMC) that will meet twice per semester and once over the summer, giving HAs a greater voice in the curriculum of their training and any decisions that affect their jobs.
“Back in 2023, before we first unionized, we were told on-call duties and nightly rounds would be added to our jobs with no added compensation, and no more clarity on what either on-call or rounds meant,” Costigan said. “The LMC is the place where HAs in the future will learn about these potential changes and have a say in them before they are implemented.”
HAs unionized with OPEIU Local 11 in October 2023 and started bargaining for a first contract in February 2024. The ratified agreement took effect June 1. It will expire May 31, 2027.
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About OPEIU Local 11
OPEIU Local 11 represents nearly 1,800 employees across five states: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Montana. OPEIU Local 11 ’s members work in many settings, including local governments, mental health care facilities, nonprofits, and college campuses. Through OPEIU Local 11, employees have a voice on the job and an avenue to equality, fair treatment and economic security. Learn more online at OPEIU11.org.
About URCHA
URCHA, or the Union of Reed College Housing Advisors, is OPEIU Local 11’s unit of 45 HAs at Reed. The HAs are the frontline of helping ensure student success at Reed. They help, counsel, and support hundreds of students every academic year. They voted overwhelmingly to unionize with OPEIU Local 11 in 2023.