Negotiations Recap for March 25, 2015
This recap details the 13th session for renewal of the collective bargaining agreement between the UW and UAW.
UW Proposals
Discipline or Dismissal – UW proposed allowing ASEs who wish to request a conference with their supervisor and the union regarding a corrective action to do so within 10 days of its issuance.
In response to UAW’s proposed administrative leave timelines, UW proposed that for administrative leaves lasting longer than 90 days, the union could request an update on the investigation status, next steps, and approximate timeframe for completion. In cases where no disciplinary action is taken, the ASE would be notified accordingly.
Non-Discrimination and Harassment – In response to UAW’s micro-aggressions proposals, UW proposed incorporating language outlining workplace behavior expectations while guiding employees who feel subject to inappropriate behavior toward appropriate avenues.
Using language proposed by the union, UW’s proposal would memorialize the parties’ commitment to an environment of mutual respect and professionalism that does not denigrate or exclude individuals based on their membership in a group or class.
Training – UW proposed language encouraging ASEs and supervisors to discuss training needs, and proposed the deletion of language that appeared to be redundant based on language elsewhere in the contract.
Workload – UW proposed language clarifying the policy basis for hourly ASE appointments and schedules. In response to UAW’s proposed ratio of 21 undergraduates per TA, UW proposed language to foster discussion of workload issues, including class size, at the Union-Management Committee.
UW also proposed moving the parties’ academic excellence language from Letter of Understanding H into Article 33, in accordance with UAW’s aim to integrate such language into the body of the contract.
Lactation Support – UW proposed language describing ASE rights related to lactation support under the law, including that ASEs receive reasonable break time to express breast milk, have adequate equipment storage space, and that the UW provide a non-restroom space that is clean, shielded from view, free from intrusion, and within reasonable proximity to the ASE’s work location.
UAW Proposals
Childcare – UAW maintained its proposal for UW increase the childcare subsidy for each eligible ASE from $700 per quarter to $1,500 per quarter, and proposed increasing the annual union-wide usage limit from $40,000 to $250,000.
Grievance Procedure – UAW declined UW’s proposed language spelling out the parties’ ability to request optional grievance mediation if settlement is not reached at Step Two, before advancing to arbitration.
Arbitration Hearing Pilot – UAW maintained its proposal for standing arbitration hearings to occur four times per year, rather than the UW’s proposed three hearings. UAW rejected UW’s proposed expiration date for the pilot, instead proposing an indefinite pilot program.
Next Steps
The next UW-UAW bargaining session is scheduled for April 1.