EUGENE, Ore., Oct. 9 — Oregon’s Employment Relations Board ruled the university broke labor law when it billed Resident Assistants and suspended their meal plans during UO Student Workers’ historic 10-day strike, as decided in the ERB notice emailed out yesterday to university employees. The board ordered refunds but declined to fine the university, according to the full text of Unfair Labor Practice case no. UP-023-25.

Striking RAs were initially billed for room and board through the end of 2025’s spring term, and many were charged several thousand dollars. The university zeroed out RAs’ saved meal points, and some got notices that holds on their accounts could block them from registering for classes days before summer registration opened.

“To strike is a right we all have as workers,” UOSW trustee Kellan Murakami said in a statement to the Ruby, adding that the union is glad to see that right “protected for those RAs who bravely chose to stand up for better working conditions and a fair contract.”

Resident Assistants no longer exist

At the time of UOSW’s strike, RAs comprised roughly 160 students who lived in residence halls and worked to provide community and care—including overnight on-call shifts and crisis response—in exchange for a $1,320 monthly stipend, single room and meal plan.

The university has since split the role into three kinds of Resident Education Student Workers, and students who work as Community Builders or Community Safety Assistants must pay a 35 percent discounted price for a double room and meal plan. Neither receives a stipend.

Ryan Campbell was a Resident Assistant and member of UOSW’s bargaining team who led the fight for a grandfather clause. Here, he speaks at a rally alongside legislators on May 2, 2025. *Robin Bailey/The Knightly Ruby*

Community Coordinators, the third and “limited-duration” kind, are student workers who were previously RAs and grandfathered-in by UOSW’s contract. They do not pay for their room nor meal plan, in exchange for performing “elevated administrative and community management duties,” according to UOSW’s contract summary.

There are only two Community Coordinators still employed on campus, UOSW says, and the future of the role remains uncertain.

Striking Resident Assistants rally after incurring room charges and losing access to meal plans on May 2, 2025. *Robin Bailey/The Knightly Ruby*

What wasn’t won

The ERB did not fine UO. State law allows a penalty of up to $1,000 when an employer repeatedly or knowingly breaks labor law, or acts egregiously. The board said UO’s conduct, though unlawful, wasn’t egregious, noting that RAs are “a unique workforce” and that this was a case of first impression.

The board also dismissed UOSW’s claim that UO interfered with the union itself. It found the university’s actions were “aimed at, and caused harm to” the striking RAs, and that the union hadn’t shown an effect on its own ability to represent them.

The ruling is one of several unfair labor practice cases between UOSW and UO. The board noted two others are on appeal and a third is pending, and it urged the sides to use its mediation services, citing the “strained” relationship between them.