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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Medford airport sets all-time record for passengers ... John Muir school expands ... Prosecution: Defendant said he was sorry for stabbing ... Medford airport sets all-time record for passengers ... John Muir school expands ... Prosecution: Defendant said he was sorry for stabbing ... EUGENE UO teaching assistants prepared to strike Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Nov. 28, 2014 at 3:45 PM By The Associated Press Posted Nov. 28, 2014 at 3:45 PM » Social News EUGENE — Graduate teaching assistants at the University of Oregon say mediation this week failed to resolve their contract dispute with the school's administration, and they are preparing for a strike on Tuesday. The union has issued a statement calling for a rally Monday evening outside the administration building, Johnson Hall, the Eugene Register-Guard reported Friday. Next Friday is the last day of fall term classes. Final exams are scheduled the week of Dec. 8-12. After the winter break, classes resume Jan. 5. The union represents more than 1,400 and is named the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation. The university has an "academic continuity plan" to finish the term and "is prepared to meet the needs of our undergraduate students if the GTFF goes on strike," said a statement from Frances Bronet, senior vice president and provost. The president of the faculty members union, United Academics, said in an essay on the Register-Guard's opinion pages this week that the plan is aimed at breaking a strike and includes ad hoc workers and suggestions of multiple-choice finals, canceling exams and not requiring student papers. No matter how qualified, no one "can walk into a classroom and competently replace an educator in the critical last two weeks of a term," wrote Michael Dreiling, an associate professor of sociology. The union is seeking a 5.5 percent raise for minimum salaries in each of the next two years and two weeks of paid medical and parental leave annually. The administration has proposed a 9 percent raise over two years and a $150,000-per-year financial hardship fund for all graduate students, including those not represented by the union. It would allow graduate students to apply for grants of up to $1,000 for medical emergencies and $1,500 for the birth or adoption of a child, Bronet said. The teaching assistants' contract expired March 31, but its terms are in effect until a new one is reached. They authorized a strike in the spring, when negotiations stalled, but they did not walk out. In October, they again authorized a strike. A 30-day cooling-off period followed, ending with 24 hours of mediation Tuesday and Wednesday. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Nov. 28, 2014 at 3:45 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501