Negotiations Recap for January 20, 2016
This recap summarizes the sixth session between the UW and SEIU 925 to incorporate UWMC physical therapists into the SEIU 925-UW collective bargaining agreement.
SEIU 925 Package Proposal
SEIU 925 proposed the following proposals as a package, in which all provisions would need to be accepted in their entirety.
Pay Range Placements – SEIU 925 proposed the following pay table placements for physical therapists:
- Physical Therapist 1: BG 93.
- Physical Therapist 2: BH 4.
- Physical Therapist 3: BH 8.
- Physical Therapist Specialist: BH 15.
Certification Premium – SEIU 925 proposed an hourly pay premium of $1.25 for physical therapists with qualifying certifications.
Weekend Differential – SEIU 925 proposed to increase the weekend pay differential to $4.00 per hour, an increase from its previous proposal.
Preceptor Differential – SEIU 925 maintained its proposal to introduce a preceptor pay differential of $2 per hour, while narrowing the scope to new employees and transfers, rather than including residents and students. UW has pointed out that at least in the case of the Physical Therapist 3, precepting is an expected component of the job.
Scheduling Weekend Work – SEIU 925 proposed that UW Medical Center schedule physical therapists across a 28 day (160 hour) work period, through which 36 physical therapists rotate and work every fourth weekend. 10 physical therapists would work a fixed schedule with one weekend day, which would be first filled by volunteers, and then physical therapists would choose their schedule in seniority order. Future vacancies would be awarded to bidders based on seniority. The union acknowledged that this model would require hiring additional staff, which UW indicated could be problematic given budgetary constraints.
Movement to Physical Therapist 3 – SEIU 925 maintained its proposal for employees to be automatically moved to the Physical Therapist 3 job class after working for one year in the Physical Therapist 2 job class.
Movement to Physical Therapist 2 – SEIU 925 maintained its proposal to memorialize that movement from Physical Therapist 1 to the Physical Therapist 2 job class is based on obtaining licensure.
Per Diem – SEIU 925 maintained its proposal for per diem staff to be placed on the new pay table at the same pay step they occupied on the old pay table, and that they receive any across the board wage increases granted by the collective bargaining agreement.
Educational Leave – SEIU 925 maintained its proposal for three days of paid educational leave per year.
Education Funds – SEIU 925 proposed $535 in education support funds per full-time equivalent (FTE) per year as a minimum, but that certain areas (such as the Stadium and Eastside clinics) provide $1,500 per FTE.
Vacation Scheduling – SEIU 925 maintained its proposals related to vacation requests and scheduling, including:
- Vacation Requests: SEIU 925 proposed language allowing employees to make vacation requests as far in advance as they desire, and requiring management to provide notice of approval/denial no later than 14 calendar days after the request.
- Vacation Denials: SEIU 925 proposed allowing employees to continue accruing vacation leave beyond the 240 hour maximum balance in the event that management cancels an employee’s scheduled vacation without enough lead time for the employee to reschedule before hitting the 240 hour limit.
Parental Leave – SEIU 925 maintained its proposal to memorialize that physical therapists are eligible to receive six months of parental leave.
Next Steps
The next UW-SEIU 925 bargaining session is scheduled for February 2.