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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 'Watchdog' helps recover rare kingsnake from Medford pet store ... Scrambling for eggs ... Our View: Commons construction schedule raises questions ... 'Watchdog' helps recover rare kingsnake from Medford pet store ... Scrambling for eggs ... Our View: Commons construction schedule raises questions ... HIGHER EDUCATION U of O, grad teachers reach deal Strike ends as compromise is reached Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Dec. 10, 2014 at 4:27 PM By The Associated Press Posted Dec. 10, 2014 at 4:27 PM » Social News EUGENE — In the middle of exam week, graduate teaching assistants at the University of Oregon have reached a contract agreement with the school's administration and ended their strike. The compromise reached Wednesday gives the graduate teachers some control over what's described as a souped-up hardship fund for medical and maternity purposes, The Eugene Register-Guard  reported. The sticking point in the bargaining was the question of paid medical and maternity leave. The teaching assistants wanted it. The school countered with a hardship fund the teachers could tap. Joe Henry, president of the graduate teachers union, said the deal includes 5 percent annual pay raises over two years. The union plans a ratification vote, but graduates said they would be back at work Wednesday. The university said in a statement that interim President Scott Coltrane would sign the agreement. The strike was the first in the 38-year history of the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation. It began on Dec. 1, just as students were beginning the "dead week" in advance of exams. As it stretched on, tensions arose between faculty members and the administration over how to handle tests and grading, something the teaching assistants often handle. Henry said the hardship fund isn't paid leave but would help teachers who get seriously ill or have new children. "Effectively, grads who experience family or medical issues will be able to receive the funds they need for missed work," he said in a statement. It provides for grants of $1,000 for medical and $1,500 for maternity purposes, and it would apply to all graduate students, not just those covered by the contract, Henry said. He said graduate students would be on a board controlling the fund, and denial of benefits would be subject to grievances. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Dec. 10, 2014 at 4:27 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