Labor Relations

Minimum Wage Meeting with Unions: October 8, 2015

Follow-up Meeting

UW and representatives from several unions reconvened for a second meeting to discuss establishing a new minimum hourly wage for UW’s union-represented employees (the parties previously met on September 18). The unions in attendance were WFSE Local 1488, SEIU Local 925, and UAW Local 4121. A representative from the Graduate & Professional Student Senate attended as well.

UW Proposal

UW delivered proposals tailored to each union in attendance, all centered on phasing in an increased minimum wage such that all union-represented employees are paid at least $15 per hour by January 1, 2017. UW’s proposals included the following:

  • January 1, 2016: Any union-represented employee whose wages are less than $13 per hour will be placed on a pay step that is at least $13 per hour.
  • January 1, 2017: Any union-represented employee whose wages are less than $15 per hour will be placed on a pay step that is at least $15 per hour.
  • Compression: UW committed to discuss any resulting issues related to wage compression as part of contract negotiations with each union.

Union Proposals

WFSE, SEIU 925, and UAW all delivered counter-proposals that included:

  • January 1, 2016: Any union-represented employee whose wages are less than $13 per hour would be placed on a pay step that is at least $13 per hour.
  • June 30, 2016: Any union-represented employee whose wages are less than $14 per hour would be placed on a pay step that is at least $14 per hour.
  • January 1, 2017: Any union-represented employee whose wages are less than $15 per hour would be placed on a pay step that is at least $15 per hour.

WFSE and SEIU 925 included additional language in their counter-proposals:

  • Scope of Proposal: WFSE and SEIU 925 proposed language to extend the applicability of these provisions to all employees in union-represented job classes regardless of their temporary/permanent status and their eligibility for union membership.
  • Compression Committee: WFSE and SEIU 925 also each proposed the formation of a joint union-management “Compression and Classification” committee, to meet twice per month between November 1, 2015, and July 1, 2016. This committee would review compression in all bargaining unit classifications, determine the appropriate comparables for positions in the bargaining units, and formulate recommendations to bring to the next round of contract negotiations.

Next Steps

The parties scheduled a follow-up meeting for October 20.