Negotiations Recap for August 13, 2014
This recap details the third session for the renewal of the UW–WFSE Police Management collective bargaining agreement for the 2015-17 contract term.
UW Proposals
Holidays – UW declined WFSE’s proposal to add an extra personal holiday per year, and proposed maintaining the practice of providing eight hours of pay per holiday for all full-time employees.
Sick and Bereavement Leave – UW proposed allowing employees to use sick leave for up to three days of additional bereavement leave for time beyond the three day bereavement leave entitlement, as approved by management.
UW Compensation Counter-proposal
UW provided a counter-proposal to WFSE’s initial compensation proposal, explaining that it focused funds on what it deems to be the areas of greatest need and potential mutual benefit.
General Wage Increase – UW declined WFSE’s proposal for 10 percent general wage increases both years of the 2015-17 contract.
Steps and Differentials – UW proposed keeping the supervisory differential at 15 percent, and declined WFSE’s proposed addition of a new step to the end of the BP pay scale.
Premiums – UW declined WFSE’s proposals to establish pay premiums for employees performing field training, traffic control, and investigatory duties, explaining that these are already core job functions.
Incentives – UW provided responses to WFSE’s proposed pay incentives:
- Longevity – UW proposed front-loading the existing longevity pay schedule by providing for an increase at three years of service instead of at 25 years.
- Fitness – UW agreed to WFSE’s proposed $250 yearly lump sum for qualifying employees passing the PFAT-based fitness test, provided that the test is administered by a third party and the results are not subject to grievance.
- Education – UW declined WFSE’s proposed incentive pay for an associate degree, but proposed an annual lump sum of $500 for employees holding a bachelor degree, and $750 for advanced degrees such as a master’s or juris doctor.
WFSE Proposals
Rest Periods – WFSE maintained its proposal to increase rest periods from 10 to 15 minutes.
Overtime Pay for Lieutenants – WFSE proposed that overtime-exempt lieutenants receive overtime pay for work exceeding their defined work day or exceeding 40 hours per week, as well as for football games and other special events.
WFSE proposed that all time in a pay status (such as sick and vacation leave) be counted toward the calculation of overtime, and that lieutenants be paid at least four hours of overtime for each assignment that is not contiguous to the employee’s shift.
Special Event Pay – WFSE maintained its proposal that employees who work a shift the night before or after a UW football game not be required to work the game. WFSE proposed that recharge overtime be compensated at a rate of one and one-half times an employee’s regular rate, and that it apply to employees assigned to stadium or patrol coverage for football games.
Unpaid Holidays for Reason of Faith or Conscience – WFSE proposed a memorandum to codify and supplement recently enacted legislation, such that employees could apply paid leave during the two unpaid days off per year granted by the law.
Sick and Bereavement Leave – WFSE proposed allowing employees to use sick leave or compensatory time for up to three days of additional bereavement leave for time beyond the three day bereavement leave entitlement, as approved by management.
Tentative Agreement
Article 6: Union Dues Deduction and Security –The parties tentatively agreed to add language outlining the process through which employees can voluntarily contribute from their paycheck to the WFSE/AFSCME Public Safety Protection Program.
Next Steps
The next UW-WFSE Police Management bargaining session is scheduled for August 25.