Negotiations Recap for November 18, 2016
This recap summarizes the second session to incorporate pharmacy technicians and imaging technologist supervisory employees at Harborview Medical Center into the SEIU 1199 collective bargaining agreement.
UW Proposals
UW made several proposals to integrate pharmacy technicians and imaging technologist supervisors into the existing SEIU 1199-UW contract. UW proposed updates to articles 5, 6, 7, and 17 with the goal of memorializing current working conditions for these employees.
Union Proposals
SEIU 1199 proposed a 6 percent general wage increase for pharmacy technicians, imaging technologist supervisors, and imaging technologist education/quality assurance employees, to match the general increases in the 2015-17 SEIU 1199 contract, and an additional pay step at the top of the wage scale.
The union acknowledged that these increases would be in addition to wage increases received in recent years: pharmacy technicians received a 13 percent Health Care Special Pay increase in November of 2014, as well as across-the-board increases of 3 percent in July of 2015 and 1.8 percent in July of 2016.
The union also proposed introducing new premiums for pharmacy technicians, including preceptor and certification pay, in addition to a rest between shifts requirement. UW noted that several of SEIU 1199’s proposals would change existing practices, and could impact the way in which employees are currently scheduled.
Next Steps
The next UW-SEIU 1199 bargaining session is scheduled for December 7.