Negotiations Recap for May 14, 2014
This recap details the second bargaining session between the UW and SEIU 1199 to incorporate Research/Hall Health RNs into the SEIU 1199 collective bargaining agreement.
Introduction
The parties began by discussing the legal precedent that would prohibit UW from providing retroactive wage increases for a first contract.
UW Counter-proposals
UW presented several counter-proposals to SEIU 1199’s initial proposal, including:
Certification Pay – UW declined SEIU 1199’s proposal to make Research RNs eligible for a certification premium, explaining that such a provision would only be applicable in a research setting if a study required a certification. UW did not oppose including Hall Health RNs as eligible for certification pay.
Overtime – UW proposed aligning overtime provisions for Hall Health RNs with that of Harborview RNs, and proposed that Research RNs not be eligible to accrue overtime on a daily basis for work exceeding eight hours.
Hire-in Rates – UW proposed that hire-in rates for Hall Health RNs be on the basis of year for year credit and applicable experience, and that hire-in rates for Research RNs be based on applicable research experience as determined by UW and the specific requirements of the position.
SEIU 1199 Responses
Overtime – SEIU 1199 proposed an 80 hour work period for Research/Hall Health RNs that would provide added scheduling flexibility, but would allow for overtime accrual only for time worked beyond 80 hours in their 80 hour work period.
Hire-in Rates – SEIU 1199 stressed the importance of clinical experience for Research RNs, and resolved to incorporate this into a counter-proposal.
Tentative Agreements
The parties reached several tentative agreements, including:
Educational and Professional Leave – The parties tentatively agreed that Hall Health RNs will be eligible for 40 – 80 hours of approved leave for educational and professional development per fiscal year, pro-rated based on full-time equivalent.
Education Support Funds – The parties tentatively agreed that Hall Health RNs will be eligible for $500 in education support funds per fiscal year, pro-rated based on full-time equivalent.
Joint Labor-Management – The parties tentatively agreed to form a Research/Hall Health RN labor-management committee comprised of two RN representatives and two employer representatives, along with one representative from the union and one from UW Labor Relations.
Next Steps
The next UW-SEIU 1199 bargaining session is scheduled for May 29.