Negotiations Recap for February 29, 2016
This recap summarizes the 21st bargaining session between the UW and the UWHA to form the first union contract for UW medical and dental residents and fellows. This was the seventh session to be facilitated by a State-appointed mediator.
UW Medicine Financial Discussion
UW Medicine interim CFO Maureen Broom attended negotiations to present an overview of the current and projected financial situation at UW Medical Center and Harborview, in order to provide further transparency into UW’s decision-making process and to answer questions posed by the UWHA.
Stipend and Housing Cost Comparisons
UW presented several analyses comparing resident and fellow compensation and cost of living at numerous programs across the country, including:
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Stipends vs. Rent: An analysis of stipends and rental costs comparing residents’/fellows’ annual stipends, average annual rent, and stipend amounts after rent is deducted.
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Supplemented Stipends vs. Rent: An analysis of stipends and rental costs with housing supplements added to the stipend amount for UCSF and Stanford. This does not include any other non-stipend benefits, such as UW’s 100% retirement match.
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Stipend Increases at Unionized Programs: An analysis of stipend increases at union-represented institutions for residents and fellows in 2015 and 2016.
UW Proposals
Stipend Increases – UW augmented its previous stipend proposal, proposing increases as follows:
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Upon Ratification: 3 percent across-the-board increase.
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Subsequent Increases: 2.5 percent across-the-board increases each year for the subsequent three contract years.
These increases would be applied after recalibrating the stipend schedule to better recognize the experience of residents and fellows as they advance through their training years. With these changes, UW’s proposed stipends would range from $54,866 to $75,158 per year in academic year 2016.
Transportation and Travel Expenses – UW proposed that each resident and fellow receive a travel allowance of $750 per year, given their irregular hours and their need to frequently travel between UW’s numerous training sites, among other reasons. UW maintained its proposal to allocate $50,000 per year toward a bike program, as well as its language memorializing trainees’ access to free parking when called into the hospital while on home-call.
The UWHA expressed gratitude for UW’s travel allowance proposal, noting that it demonstrates UW’s appreciation for the interests of its residents and fellows.
Housestaff Committees – UW proposed clarifications to the union’s proposed list of UW Medicine and hospital committees in which the UWHA may participate.
Next Steps
The next UW-UWHA bargaining mediation session is currently being determined by the parties.