Labor Relations

Negotiations Recap for February 8, 2013

This recap details the 14th bargaining session between the UW and AFT.

AFT Proposals

Compensation
AFT put forth its initial proposal on compensation, which among other things would provide for salary increases based on seniority, while making lecturers eligible for merit-based increases as well.
AFT proposed a step-based salary schedule on which lecturers’ salaries would advance annually, and proposed that all existing lecturers receive an immediate salary increase of at least $256 per month.
Salary Schedule Initial Placement
AFT proposed that new and existing extension lecturers be placed on the salary schedule based on their equivalent teaching experience. Those with between five and nine years of equivalent experience would receive an additional step, and those with over 10 years would receive two additional steps.

UW Proposals

Grievance and Arbitration Procedures
UW proposed that if a lecturer enters into an informal discussion on the resolution of an issue without the union’s involvement, AFT would be made aware of the settlement and given the chance to weigh in.
Personnel Files
UW proposed that if adverse material that is placed in a lecturer’s personnel file does not have the lecturer ‘s signature or initials, it will be simultaneously forwarded to them.
Corrective Action
UW proposed language memorializing that corrective action is meant to be a positive method for improvement rather than punitive action, and that it will only be administered for just cause.

Further Dialogue

Salary Schedule Placement
UW addressed AFT’s proposed method for placing lecturers on the salary schedule, requesting clarification on how lecturers’ equivalent teaching experience could be measured and verified objectively.
AFT suggested that the duration and extent of a lecturer’s past teaching experience could be derived from what is listed on their résumé.

Next Steps

The next UW/AFT bargaining session is scheduled for February 22.