Union Declines UW’s Request to Begin Negotiations in January
SEIU 1199 has rejected UW’s proposal to start contract negotiations in January of 2017, instead maintaining its position that the parties begin no earlier than March.
In October, UW proposed commencing collective bargaining for the 2017-2019 master contract shortly after the first of the new year. The previous two rounds of negotiations have each taken at least nine months and over 20 sessions to complete, resulting in delays to implementing benefits such as wage increases for thousands of employees.
UW has reinforced to the union the importance of beginning negotiations earlier to better position the parties to avoid unnecessary delays and potential complications around implementing changes in tandem with UW’s upcoming HR/payroll system transition. UW reminded the union that the contract allows either party to open negotiations in a timely manner, and requires both management and the union to oblige such requests.