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Classified Union, 4J Finalize New Contract
The union representing the district’s classified employees and 4J have finalized a new three-year contract following union ratification and school board approval on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
Oregon School Employees Association Eugene Chapter 1 represents a wide range of school employees, including classroom aides, bus drivers, office staff, food service workers, facilities, custodial and grounds staff, and more.
"I'd like to thank the bargaining teams from both OSEA and 4J for their persistent efforts in coming to agreement," School Board Chair Tom Di Liberto said. "These are distinctly difficult times... for everybody, which is why I'm so grateful for persevering and finding a way forward."
"Our new Workplace Safety and Safe Learning Environment contract article is an important step forward for classified staff statewide, especially around assigned nursing duties and access to attend IEP meetings," OSEA Eugene Chapter 1 President Lisa Jenkins-Easton said. "I am grateful to have had such a committed, hardworking bargaining team who stood strong for some very important changes that will impact how our students are supported. We look forward to continued collaboration as we implement these substantial changes."
Added Superintendent Miriam Mickelson: "The district deeply values our classified staff and how they demonstrate care for our students. I appreciate OSEA’s shared commitment to stability, fairness and deep respect for the classified employees whose hard work, dedication and skills make our schools safer and stronger.”
Provisions of the agreement include:
- A cost of living salary increase of 5 percent each year in 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-28, in addition to regular step increases; retroactive to July 1, 2025
- Health insurance contributions at $1,225 per month in 2025-26, $1,285 per month in 2026–27, and $1,345 per month in 2027–28 (representing an increase of $60 per month in the second year and another $60 per month in the third year) for full-time equivalent employees
- A new contract article on workplace safety and learning environment
- Reimbursement for required on-the-job safety equipment
- A new system for structuring jobs in the Transportation Department
- Upward market adjustments for six classified positions
The cost of living allowance matches what licensed staff received in their 2024 contract, and what managers, administrators, professionals and supervisors received last year. The total cost of the OSEA contract fits within the district's financial plan for 2026-27 and does not increase 4J's projected $30 million shortfall, or a projected $8 million gap for 2027-28. OSEA and district bargaining teams met 14 times, starting in April, and reached a tentative agreement after a marathon session on Dec. 11. Video recordings of all bargaining sessions and contract language proposals are posted on the 4J website. The previous three-year contract expired June 30, 2025.