Union leaders for employees at the University of Oregon, as well as the six other public universities overseen by the Oregon University System, have decided to push back their planned day of picketing to Sept. 30, the first day of class for fall term.

SEIU Local 503, the union representing non-faculty employees on campuses across the state, released emails Sunday afternoon announcing that in order to capitalize on “inspiring momentum” from student and faculty support, their initial target of Sept. 23 will be postponed. The delay also comes after unsuccessful bargaining on Friday and Saturday, which prompted a hasty session this Wednesday.

“First, we want to capitalize on the inspiring momentum that has been building among members, students and faculty on campuses,” the SEIU said it in a statement this afternoon, alluding to calls to action from ASUO President Sam Dotters-Katz as well as the Oregon Student Association. “Secondly, we want to allow more time to reach a settlement while still keeping the threat of a powerful strike on the first day of class out there.”

A statement released Sunday morning by the Oregon University System insists it hopes an extra day of bargaining might prevent a strike from campus workers, while claiming to be prepared to hold its breath should those workers decide to picket.

“Last week SEIU filed a notice of intent to strike beginning Sept.23 prior to the start of Fall term on Sept. 30,” the OUS said in the statement. “That notice may be withdrawn and we remain hopeful that a fair settlement can be reached prior to a strike. Regardless of the outcome, OUS campuses are prepared. Classes will begin on time, and campus services will proceed uninterrupted.”

The announcement follows a week of voting across the state to empower leaders of SEIU Local 503 to call a strike if negotiations continue to sputter. And last Monday, union leaders issued a letter of intent to strike as early as Sept. 23, a week before fall classes begin. In effect, the union told the Oregon University System that it was prepared to stall daily operations at all seven campuses if the OUS refused to budge on its current proposals.

“We are sending this strike notice now in order to meet the PECBA 10-day notice requirement, even though we are in the process of conducting strike authorization votes on campuses, and even though we are still scheduled to meet with the Employer [OUS] in mediation Sept. 13th and 14th for good faith bargaining efforts,” SEIU Local 503 said in the letter.

Though the last scheduled meeting will be this Wednesday, Sept. 18, the two sides have yet to agree on minimum salaries for the campus workers, annual wage increases known as “steps” and tax reimbursements for same-sex couples.

Thusday morning, ASUO President Sam Dotters-Katz also issued a statement calling for a student walkout in support of campus employees.

“These folks work some of the lowest paying and often least appreciated jobs on campus,” Dotters-Katz said in a statement Thursday morning. “They deserve a contract that treats them with dignity, respect and most importantly fairness.”

Lamar Wise, a University of Oregon student and interim Chair of the Oregon Student Association, also expressed solidarity for the union.

“As of right now, OSA is going forward with a message that we want fair pay for faculty and our staff without that money coming from tuition.”