Negotiations Recap for April 16, 2015
This recap details the 19th session for renewal of the collective bargaining agreement between the UW and UAW.
UW Proposals
Health Insurance – UW withdrew its proposal to cap cost increases from one plan year to the next. UW maintained the remainder of its previous proposal, including that the parties negotiate health benefits based on the plan design as detailed in the parties’ recently-submitted request for proposals, that UW provide the union with relevant reports, and that UW fulfill any notification and bargaining obligations in the event that federal or state laws compel changes to the plan.
Union Package Proposal
UAW put forth a package proposal in which all provisions would need to be accepted in their entirety. Provisions included:
Childcare – UAW proposed that UW increase the childcare subsidy for each eligible ASE from $700 per quarter to $1,300 per quarter, and proposed increasing the annual union-wide usage limit from $40,000 to $100,000.
Fee and Tuition Waivers – UAW proposed that the University waive or remit all campus-wide mandatory fees for ASEs with 50 percent of full-time equivalent (FTE) appointments.
Intellectual Property – UAW maintained its proposal to grant the union a position on any UW committee on intellectual property and commercialization issues.
Insurance Programs – UAW proposed that UW maintain the Graduate Appointee Insurance Program (GAIP) plan based on the union’s interpretation of what constitutes current benefits.
Job Titles and Classifications – UAW proposed that the parties maintain current contract language, provided that the Union-Management Committee meet four times per year to discuss implementing a step system for hourly ASEs.
Leaves of Absence – UAW maintained its proposal for ASEs to receive 90 days of paid leave and a guarantee of reinstatement in the same or equivalent position upon return from leaves, and maintained its proposal for up to 10 days of paid leave for hourly ASEs. UAW also maintained its proposal to allow for ASEs to request leaves of absence for certain safety reasons.
Management Rights – UAW proposed that the parties maintain current contract language.
No Strikes/No Lockouts – UAW proposed that the parties maintain current contract language.
Micro-aggressions – UAW maintained its previous proposal on micro-aggressions.
Union Security – UAW maintained its proposed language updates surrounding the dues deduction authorization process as well as expansions to the employee data that is regularly reported to the union.
Wages – As part of this package, UAW would accept UW’s proposal to keep pace with the Global Challenge States median, and proposed that the ASE minimum hourly wage be raised to $13 effective July 1, 2015, $15 effective July 1, 2016, and receive the general wage increase provided by the contract effective July 1, 2017.
Duration – As part of this package, UAW would accept UW’s proposal for a three-year contract term.
Immigration Status and Work Authorization – UAW proposed a new side letter by which UW and the union would meet four times per year to discuss issues arising from ASE employment as it relates to immigration status and work authorization.
Debt Management – UAW maintained its proposal to extend access to the UW Carelink employee assistance programs to ASEs.
Career Development – UAW maintained its proposal to enable ASEs to create an Individual Development Plan with their faculty mentors or supervisors, and proposed that UW and the union mutually agree on a process and template.
Bathroom Equity – UAW maintained its proposal that UW guarantee that all ASE workplaces have access to all-gender bathrooms as well as equal access to gender-specific bathrooms. UAW also maintained its proposals for the parties to meet twice yearly to discuss applicable plans and for the University to publish online the location of every all-gender bathroom on campus.
Next Steps
The next UW-UAW bargaining session is scheduled for April 22.