According to an article by the Statesman Journal, a vote by the Service Employees International Union Local 503 approved a new contract on Aug. 17. The agreement was approved by 95 percent of the voting SEIU representatives.

The new contract includes dropping the mandatory paycheck contribution to the Public Employee Retirement System. This contribution will now be made by employees themselves as a pre-tax deduction, offset by a 6.95 percent increase in pay. These changes will take place in Nov. 2016.

The new contract also results in a 1.48 percent cost of living increase in Dec. 2015 and a 2.75 percent increase in Dec. 2016. As well as a reduced health care premium for workers and one more paid day of leave per year (set for the Friday after Thanksgiving.)

The SEIU Local 503 represents over 55,000 service workers in the area.

Revision: To clarify, this compromise does not affect the university workers that are employed by the 7 universities in Oregon. That portion of members in SEIU 503 is still without a contract. The potential for a strike by University of Oregon workers during move-in week remains high.