What is a strike?

  • A strike is a lawful withholding of our labor that follows the required steps of the Public Employees Collective Bargaining Act. That means no logging in remotely, no going into the office, no crossing picket lines. Instead, we will ALL rally outside various OHSU facilities to make our voices heard.

Who determines if we go on strike?

  • The members of AFSCME Local 328 will vote to authorize a strike! Once a strike is authorized, the bargaining team will determine if and when a strike occurs.

Who can vote to go on strike?

  • Only dues-paying members of Local 328 in good standing can vote.

Are all 328 members expected to picket?

  • Yes, except for probationary workers and people with an H1-B visa. We cannot force members to strike or picket, but you can imagine how a strike with only 25% of the workers would not be successful.

What happens if a represented worker crosses our picket line?

  • Crossing a picket line would seriously undermine our efforts to win a fair contract. It erodes the camaraderie in the workplace, prolongs the strike and negatively impacts our efforts to work as a team once a strike is settled. Never cross a picket line!

Can I use Flex Time or other earned time while on strike?

  • No, workers cannot use or accrue leave during a strike.

Can I be fired for going on strike?

  • Under federal law, workers off probation cannot be fired for participating in a protected strike or picketing against their employer. Members who have not completed their first 6-month probation can be fired for any reason. Those who are in their probationary period will be given a button to let those on the line know that they will be reporting to work

What makes a successful strike?

  • Preparation, education, and a formidable strike threat. We can pose a credible strike threat if we are united in our public actions. 

Will I keep my benefits while I’m on strike?

  • Benefits enrollment is on a monthly basis, and we can plan strikes for after the first of the month, so we do not lose insurance.

What work activity can I/can I not participate in while on strike?

  • A successful strike depends on the impact of withholding our labor to highlight the important work we do and what things would be like without us. It is up to OHSU to negotiate a fair agreement and prevent a complete work stoppage that impedes its care and innovation mission.

Are there other ways to support our union?

  • The best way to avoid a strike is to prepare for a strike by participating in union actions and recruiting your work colleagues to participate. 

Do I have to tell my manager I am going on strike/do I have to arrange others in my work center to cover the work I won't be able to do?

  • You are not required to tell your manager that you are going on strike. Our union will give OHSU the proper notice to strike. You may not be disciplined for walking out or not showing up when the strike begins.

What’s required of me during a strike? 

  • At its core, a strike simply requires the withholding of your labor. First, it means not crossing the picket line and not going to work. (This applies to remote workers, too!) In addition, members should plan on walking the picket line (daily, ideally), attending rallies, participating in digital actions, etc. Being on strike isn’t a vacation from work — it’s working together to secure a contract that protects our patients, coworkers and livelihoods. Non-members are also allowed and encouraged to go out on strike.

How much notice would we have before a strike starts?

  • Our bargaining must give 10 days' notice to OHSU. This can be done at any time once a strike authorization passes. 

Can we still use FMLA/OFLA while on strike? 

  • For those who qualify, yes. FMLA/OFLA is protected leave that you are still able to use while on strike.

What happens if the membership votes against ratifying the proposed contract settlement?

  • If we reach a settlement before going on strike, the ratification vote will ask members to either (a) ratify the contract or (b) give the employer a 10-day notice to strike. Essentially, by rejecting a proposed settlement, the membership would be starting the countdown to a strike.

What happens when we go back to work after a strike? 

  • Generally, when a strike ends, the union and the employer put together a return-to-work agreement that lays out this process. The details would be communicated to our bargaining unit.

What about a new Oregon law to protect striking workers?

  • Starting on January 1st, 2026, workers who have been on strike for more than two weeks are eligible for unemployment insurance. These benefits can help workers cover expenses while on the picket line.

How does Oregon’s new law around striking workers affect unemployment?

Under Senate Bill 916 (SB 916), Oregon workers can apply for unemployment benefits after two weeks on strike.

  • Eligible workers may receive up to 10 weeks of unemployment.

  • Weekly benefit amounts vary based on prior earnings.

  • If a settlement later includes back pay, workers must repay any unemployment benefits received for the same period. A bonus is not considered back pay.

What if someone no longer lives in Oregon? Can they still file for unemployment under SB 916?

No. SB 916 applies only to workers who live in Oregon and wages earned in-state. If you live and work outside Oregon, you are subject to the unemployment laws of your state, not Oregon.

Is there anything that supplements income during the strike, like a hardship fund?

At this time, no. Local 328 will be working with community partners and Oregon AFSCME to support our members if we do call for a strike. 

What if I had a vacation scheduled during the strike?

Vacations scheduled before a strike is declared must still be honored. However, once a strike begins, OHSU may revoke new requests or refuse to approve vacation during strike dates. We will provide exact guidance if a strike is called.

Can they revoke future vacation time that is not scheduled during the strike?

Whatever the current practice is in your department would apply.

What happens if someone is out on FMLA and using accruals when a strike is declared?

Employees already on approved FMLA continue their leave status.

  • If you are on FMLA before the strike begins, you remain on FMLA.

  • You should continue using your approved accruals.

    •  If OHSU makes changes to FMLA status during the strike, your union will intervene.

Will OHSU disable our accounts or email if we go on strike?

In order to ensure you are getting up-to-date information from Local 328, make sure your personal email is in The Hub. You should not be checking your work email during a strike.

Are managers able to see how staff voted on strike authorization?

No. Strike authorization ballots are confidential. OHSU does not receive voting records.

Are non-members allowed to strike even if they couldn't vote?

Yes. All employees covered by the bargaining unit—members and non-members—have the legal right to strike. Only dues-paying members may vote for a strike authorization and contract ratification, but everyone can participate in the strike.

For ambulatory clinics not located on the main campus, where do we meet?

A complete list of picket locations will be emailed, posted on the blog, and shared on social media if a strike is called.

Are we able to attend patient appointments as a patient during the strike?

Yes. You can attend appointments as a patient. Do not perform any work during that time.

What is the best way for remote and out-of-state employees to receive updates if they aren’t logging into OHSU systems?

Local 328 will provide updates via:

Is there anywhere I can refer coworkers who aren’t getting union updates?

Send them to the Oregon AFSCME Member Services Center (MSC). The MSC can check if you are a dues-paying member and make sure your email address is up to date. Additionally, the Member Services Center can make sure members' info is up to date in The Hub. 

Where can we review the “last, best, final offers” from AFSCME and OHSU?

The proposals are available here: https://www.local328.org/blog/local-328-and-ohsus-last-best-final-offers 

Is parental leave affected if a strike is declared?

Pre-approved parental leave should continue uninterrupted. If your leave begins during a strike, there may be delays in processing—this depends on OHSU HR. Our union will work to ensure your rights are protected.

Is backpay for the time working without a contract resolved before the strike ends?

Backpay is typically part of post-strike settlement negotiations, not a precondition for ending a strike.

How concerned should we be about layoffs if our proposal exceeds OHSU’s budget?

Union-protected layoffs require specific procedures and justifications. OHSU cannot retaliate for striking. All budget claims should be viewed with caution—we will share accurate financial context as it becomes available.

Can OHSU retaliate against probationary workers for expressing support for a strike?

No. It is illegal to retaliate against any worker—probationary or not—for union activity, including discussing, supporting, or participating in a strike. However, OHSU can terminate probationary workers for any reason during this time. We encourage these workers to keep their best interests in mind. 

Buttons will also be provided to probationary employees stating, “I’m a probationary employee, and I support Local 328.”

Will this be an open-ended strike or a fixed length?

The bargaining team will determine strike details. Our union will share this information through email, the blog, and social media.

Do you have questions you don’t see an answer to? Email bargaining@local328.org. We will answer and add to our FAQ!