Negotiations Recap for July 30, 2014
This recap details the sixth session for the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement between the UW and WFSE for the 2015-17 contract term.
Status of Proposals
UW presented a status chart summarizing the proposals put forth to date, which the parties walked through together.
UW Proposals
FMLA and Benefits Continuity – UW proposed language to clarify the process by which paid leave is interspersed so that an employee whose parental or disability leave is not (or is no longer) covered by FMLA may maintain benefits for up to 4 months.
Compensation for Work out of Class – UW proposed that the differential paid to eligible employees performing higher level work be expressed in terms of a percentage (5 percent) instead of in terms of pay steps (two steps), to ensure compatibility with UW’s future payroll system.
UW noted that the need for other similar adjustments could surface related to the transition to a new HR/payroll system.
WFSE Proposals
General Wage Increases – WFSE proposed general wage increases of 9 percent effective July 1, 2015, and 6 percent effective July 1, 2016. WFSE proposed that in July 2015, employee wages below 80 percent of market be increased to at least 85 percent, and that more favorable wage increases granted to any other employee group during the second year of the contract will also be applied to the WFSE contract.
WFSE also proposed adjusting minimum salaries to the step in the appropriate pay range that is closest to $15 per hour, effective July 1, 2015.
Eliminating “Flat” Steps – WFSE proposed adjusting all BA and BO pay scales to provide increases between steps in instances where moving from one step to the next does not currently provide for a pay increase.
Shift Differentials and Other Pay Provisions – WFSE proposed increasing the hourly differential for evening and night shifts to $1.50 and $2, respectively. WFSE proposed increasing Standby Pay to $4 per hour, and requiring that employees called in from Standby be paid for time travelling to and from work. WFSE proposed a minimum of three hours of bonus pay for Call Back, as well as increasing Assignment Pay to $2 per hour.
Pay Premiums – WFSE proposed creating a float premium of $2.75 per hour and a $0.75 per hour certification premium for Health Care Professional/Technical Classifications. WFSE also proposed doubling the Field Training Officer premium to 10 percent, as well as applying a swing shift differential to day shifts for certain operations and maintenance employees who customarily work rotating shifts.
Promotions/Reallocations – WFSE proposed that employees who are promoted or reallocated to another bargaining unit position with a higher salary range receive the equivalent of at least a four step increase, or a 12 percent increase in the case of Health Care Professional/Technical pay tables.
Commute Trip Reduction – WFSE proposed language from the UW-SEIU 925 master contract enabling and encouraging departments with continuous or public responsibility to establish independent work schedules according to employee requests.
Temporary Employee Compensation – WFSE proposed adjusting minimum salaries to the step in the appropriate pay range that is closest to $15 per hour, effective July 1, 2015. WFSE also proposed a guarantee that temporary employees who leave an appointment and are later reappointed to a similar job in the same department receive at least the same rate as before.
Temporary Employee Working Conditions – WFSE proposed that for a temporary employee hired into the job they have filled without a break in service, their hours of service as a temporary employee (up to three months) would count toward their probationary period. WFSE also proposed removing the requirement for essential staff to report to work in cases of inclement weather and suspended operations as long as they make all reasonable efforts to do so.
Pay Parity with SEIU 925 Like Titles – WFSE proposed a memorandum establishing pay parity for several WFSE job classifications with similar SEIU 925-represented job classifications.
Skilled Trades – WFSE proposed adding backflow valve testing and repairs to the list of skilled trades work eligible for Assignment Pay, and also proposed that the University reimburse employees for the cost of all required licenses and certifications.
Next Steps
The next UW-WFSE bargaining session is scheduled for August 6.