Negotiations Recap for June 5, 2015
This recap details the eighth session for the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement between the UW and SEIU 1199.
UW Proposals: Per Diem Registered Nurses
UW delivered several proposals regarding SEIU 1199-represented nurses working in a per diem capacity, including the creation of a contract addendum that is specific to this group. UW’s proposals included:
Definitions – UW proposed language memorializing that the SEIU 1199 contract applies to hourly paid per diem registered nurses who have performed bargaining unit work for at least 350 hours in the prior 12 month period and who do not hold dual appointments.
Probationary Period – UW proposed that up to three months of service as a union-represented per diem nurse count toward a nurse’s probationary period in the event they are hired into their position in a permanent capacity. Such a decision would be at management’s discretion.
Hours of Work – UW proposed language committing to not utilize per diem nurses in lieu of filling funded vacant positions with regular employees. UW also proposed language memorializing that assignment of hours and continuation of employment are at management’s discretion.
Minimum Work Availability – UW proposed that per diem nurses be available to work at least 48 hours per four-week period, and that once a nurse agrees to work a scheduled shift, they must work or find a replacement such that no overtime is incurred.
Minimum Weekend Availability – UW proposed that per diem nurses working fewer than 20 hours per week be available to work at least two weekend shifts per four-week schedule period, and that per diem nurses working more than 20 hours per week be available to work at least four weekend shifts per four-week schedule period. Weekend requirements would be contingent upon unit staffing needs for weekend scheduling, and weekday shifts could be substituted if that meets unit needs.
Holiday Availability – UW proposed memorializing the expectation that per diem nurses commit at least one shift on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, or New Year holidays.
Premium Pay – UW proposed memorializing per diem nurse eligibility for several pay premiums:
- Evening Shift Differential: $2.50 per hour.
- Night Shift Differential: $3.75 per hour.
- Standby Premium: $4 per hour.
- Weekend Premium: $4 per hour.
- Certification Premium: $1 per hour.
- Charge Premium: $2.25 per hour.
Termination – UW proposed language memorializing that per diem nurses who are unavailable to work for two consecutive four-week schedule periods and have not informed their supervisor of extended non-availability may have their appointment terminated. Nurses who have not worked for six consecutive months would be automatically terminated and would need to reapply, and ending a per diem appointment would be at UW’s discretion.
SEIU 1199 Counter-proposals
Minimum Work Availability – SEIU 1199 proposed that per diem nurses be available to work at least 32 hours per four-week period. The union declined UW’s proposal committing per diem nurses who have agreed to work a scheduled shift to either work that shift or find a replacement.
Minimum Weekend Availability – SEIU 1199 proposed that per diem nurses working fewer than 20 hours per week be available to work at least one weekend shift per four-week schedule period, and that per diem nurses working more than 20 hours per week be available to work at least two weekend shifts per four-week schedule period.
Holiday Availability – SEIU 1199 accepted UW’s proposed language memorializing the expectation that per diem nurses commit at least one shift on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, or New Year holidays.
Sign-in Sheet
UW again delivered a sign-in sheet for both bargaining teams to sign, in order to help facilitate payment of release time to employees. For the eighth consecutive session, SEIU 1199 declined to utilize a sign-in sheet.
Next Steps
The next UW-SEIU 1199 bargaining session is scheduled for June 9.