Negotiations Recap for June 3, 2015
This recap details the tenth bargaining session between the UW and the UWHA to form the first union contract for UW medical and dental residents and fellows (collectively referred to below as “trainees”).
UW Presentation
Parking Overview
UW presented an overview of trainee parking usage at Harborview Medical Center (HMC) and UW Medical Center (UWMC) parking lots. UW reinforced the importance of weighing parking along with UWHA’s entire economic package, noting that the cost of trainee parking at HMC and UWMC alone was roughly $468,000 in 2014.
UW Proposals
Educational and Interview Leave – UW proposed that trainees receive up to five days per year of paid educational leave for educational activities such as presenting research or other scholarly work at a professional meeting or to sit for exams. Trainees would also be able to apply this time to job interviews during their final years of training.
Extended Paid Sick Leave – UW proposed an extended leave benefit whereby eligible trainees could receive up to 12 weeks of paid sick leave during their appointment as a resident or fellow at the UW. To be eligible a trainee must have already exhausted their available vacation and sick leave, and have qualifying conditions as defined by UW’s Shared Leave Policy. This would be a new leave benefit in addition to existing leaves of absence (currently 17 days of sick leave are available to each trainee per year).
UWHA Proposals
Professional Development Fund – UWHA proposed that each trainee have access to a minimum of $500 per year to be used for professional development expenses, including those associated with attending professional meetings, purchasing study materials, attending board preparation courses, and membership in an academic society or professional organization. Initial estimates value this proposed benefit at roughly $650,000.
Vacation Leave – UWHA tentatively agreed to UW’s April 6 proposal, whereby trainees would receive 21 vacation days (15 weekdays and 6 weekend days) at the start of each one-year appointment period. This would be pro-rated for trainees appointed to less than full time but greater than a 0.5 FTE (full-time equivalent), and would not apply to trainees working less than a 0.5 FTE.
Sick Leave – UWHA tentatively agreed to UW’s April 6 proposal, whereby trainees would receive 17 days (12 weekdays and 5 weekend days) of paid sick and health maintenance leave at the start of each one year appointment period. This would be pro-rated for trainees appointed to less than full time but greater than a 0.5 FTE, and would not apply to trainees working less than a 0.5 FTE.
Next Steps
The next UW-UWHA bargaining session is scheduled for June 17.