Labor Relations

Negotiations Recap for May 29, 2014

This recap details the third bargaining session between the UW and SEIU 1199 to incorporate Research/Hall Health RNs into the SEIU 1199 collective bargaining agreement.

UW Proposals

Layoff – UW proposed that seniority be defined as a Research/Hall Health RN’s continuous length of most recent unbroken service at the University. UW also proposed language providing that if a Research or Hall Health RN is laid off, a vacant position in the layoff unit would be considered the most junior position, and would be first consideration before displacement of another RN.

Compensation – UW proposed moving Research/Hall Health RNs to range 1 on pay table BR. UW also proposed a 2 percent base wage increase for all Research/Hall Health RNs effective July 1, 2014, provided that the parties conclude bargaining in time.

UW expressed willingness to discuss placing Research RNs above the first step in the pay range upon hire.

Compensation Discussion

UW presented a market pay analysis comparing both parties’ compensation proposals. UW’s proposed pay range movement would bring average salary for Hall Health RNs and Research RNs to 107.3 and 100.8 percent of the market median, respectively.

  • Cost to implement UW’s proposal: $28,642
  • Cost to implement SEIU 1199’s proposal: $356,038

SEIU 1199 Response

SEIU 1199 questioned why the organizations comprising the relevant markets for Hall Health and Research RNs differ from those which comprise Harborview’s RN market. UW explained that given the differences between these enterprises and their work, the comparative labor markets for Hall Health RNs, Research RNs, and Harborview RNs are, by the market definition of the positions, different from one another.

Next Steps

The next UW-SEIU 1199 bargaining session is scheduled for June 11.