Negotiations Recap for July 16, 2014
This recap details the second session for the renewal of the master collective bargaining agreement between the UW and SEIU 925 for the 2015-17 contract term.
Transportation Discussion
At the union’s request, Josh Kavanagh, Director of UW Transportation Services, attended the meeting to discuss the role and scope of his department. Transportation Services is responsible for Seattle campus shuttles, fleet, U-PASS, and parking for the main campus and certain Seattle leased properties. UW’s ability to expand its parking facilities in the city is governed by the City of Seattle.
Several unions and UW agreed years ago that like other far-reaching University benefits such as health care, details pertaining to transit are not bargained. Instead, the parties participate in the University Transportation Committee as the primary decision-making framework.
SEIU 925 Proposals
Union Access – SEIU 925 proposed language that would allow the union to enter the workplace and speak with employees on work time.
Parking on Snow Days – SEIU 925 proposed that parking be free of charge for employees required to work on “snow days.”
Inclement Weather and Suspended Operations – SEIU 925 proposed that employees in overtime excepted positions not be required to charge leave balances or make up time missed in cases of suspended operations due to inclement weather.
Overtime Excepted Positions – SEIU 925 proposed that employees in overtime excepted positions receive overtime pay at a rate of time and one-half for time worked beyond 44 hours in a week.
Video Security Systems – SEIU proposed expanding a department-specific practice, requiring that security cameras not be used to evaluate employees or monitor their regular work, to apply throughout the SEIU 925 master contract. SEIU 925 also proposed that management maintain a written log of camera security system access that will be available to the union for review.
Removal of Disciplinary Documents – SEIU 925 proposed that records of formal counseling be removed from an employee’s personnel file after three years, as long as circumstances do not warrant a longer retention period, there has been no subsequent corrective action, and the employee submits a request for removal in writing.
Request for Ergonomics Assessment – SEIU 925 proposed a requirement that all employee ergonomics requests to supervisors be scheduled and completed within 20 working days.
Union Access to UW’s Policies – SEIU 925 proposed a requirement that the University publish all policies agreed to between UW and SEIU 925 on the UW website.
Nondiscrimination – SEIU 925 proposed to memorialize the parties’ commitment to not discriminate on the basis of gender identity and expression, in accordance with updated state law.
Layoff Seniority Tiebreaker – SEIU 925 proposed to memorialize an existing agreement whereby for the purposes of layoff, seniority order among employees whose contract seniority is identical will be determined by randomly drawing names.
Defining Pay Tables – SEIU 925 proposed the addition of a link to UW Compensation’s webpage listing and describing union pay tables.
Surplus and Disposal – SEIU 925 provided a proposal suggesting that the University arrange for the removal of old equipment in the HR/Labor Relations conference spaces in Condon Hall.
Tentative Agreements
UW tentatively agreed to the following SEIU 925 proposals:
- Nondiscrimination
- Layoff Seniority Tiebreaker
- Defining Pay Tables
- Surplus and Disposal
Next Steps
The next UW-SEIU 925 bargaining session is scheduled for July 31.