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CORVALLIS - Oregon State University and the American Federation of Teachers AFT-Oregon Local 6069, Coalition of Graduate Employees, have successfully negotiated a tentative agreement granting full health insurance coverage for graduate teaching and research assistants at the university, for the first time in OSU history.

"This is a win for both OSU and its graduate employees," said Luke Ackerman, Local 6069 president. "Graduate employees will have the health insurance coverage they deserve, and OSU has another great tool for recruiting the best graduate assistants."

The plan begins October 2004, and includes a shared contribution by the university and graduate assistant employees with at least a 0.2 FTE appointment. Until then, graduate assistant employees will receive an increase in the recruitment and retention differential they already receive.

In addition, the agreement includes creation of a Health Insurance Advisory Council, composed of three CGE representatives, and three university representatives. The charge of the council will be to review operations and advise the plan administrator, OSU Student Health Services.

"I think we worked well with the administration to reach this agreement," said Ackerman. "This is proof-positive that CGE gets results, and that we can work together with the administration to make OSU a better place."

Sally Francis, dean of the OSU Graduate School, said the provision of health coverage to graduate assistant employees is an achievement the entire university community can celebrate.

"We care very much about the welfare of our graduate assistants and recognize the direct relationship between good health, access to health care and students' ability to perform well academically," Francis said. "I see this step as a reflection of OSU's core values and as evidence of our strength of commitment to excellence in graduate education."

Both parties must still ratify the tentative agreement.