A continuing strike by the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation (GTFF) remains in effect as the initial round of mediation talks between the union and the University of Oregon failed to produce an agreement. Both sides opted not to release any details of the talks in an effort to preserve a secure environment for free expression of concerns and opinions about proposals.

The GTFF represents about 1,500 graduate teaching assistants, a necessary staffing component for the upcoming final exam session. The University has announced it has a contingency plan in place to keep the finals session running smoothly in the event of failed negotiations, but did not offer any details.

The strike is the first called by the GTFF in nearly 40 years. Their complaints center on medical and maternity leave issues: The GTFF demands two weeks of paid medical leave for all members; the university’s proposal involves a large fund that members could use collectively. The collective fund would only make about $1,000 - $1,500 available to each member, which the GTFF considers to be far less than would be practical.

The union has been very visible during the strike, augmenting picket lines with whimsical things such as dinosaurs and robots. They also have community support, recently announcing a $10,000 donation from Steen V. Mitchell, an alumnus of the University Theatre program, who said this was his usual donation to the theatre program, but he thought it would do more to support education in the hands of the GTFF.