Labor Relations

UW – UAW Negotiations Recap for May 22, 2018

Background

This recap details the twentieth session for the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement between the UW and UAW, which expired on April 30, 2018. This was the fourth session to be facilitated by State-appointed mediators.  Recaps are published online on the UW Labor Relations website.

UAW Proposal

The Union presented two separate package proposals, in which all provisions within each package would need to be accepted in their entirety.

Package 1 – Insurance Programs & Childcare

UAW proposed to accept the Employer’s proposed changes to GAIP coverage related to mental health deductibles and added coverage for certain trans-affirming procedures.  The Union withdrew its proposal to increase the Employer’s share of premiums for dependents.

As part of the package, UAW modified its proposal to increase the University’s commitment to ASE childcare expenses from their previous proposal of $60,000 to $80,000.

Package 2 – Wages & Fee Waivers

UAW maintained its proposal to retain current contract language that ties ASE compensation at UW to the Global Challenge States (GCS).  The Union proposed base pay and hourly rate increases of at least 3% on July 1, 2018, 6% on July 1, 2019, and 6% increase on July 1, 2020.  Variable rates would be increased by at least 3% each year.

UAW maintained its proposal that the University shall cover all tuition and fees for ASEs with a 50% appointment, and the costs of implementing any part of the collective bargaining agreement would be borne by the central administration, not departments.  UAW added language stating that the University would not increase existing fees or add additional ones without waiving or remitting them in their entirety for ASEs.

UW Response

The University rejected UAW’s package proposals and maintained all elements of the Employer’s most recent package proposal, originally presented on May 14, which includes:

  • Waiver of $75 per quarter deductible for unlimited visits to network mental health care providers
  • An expansion of coverage for trans-affirming procedures, providing a more comprehensive coverage than is available to any other PEBB eligible State employee
  • An increase in the University’s commitment to ASE childcare expenses from $45,000 to $50,000
  • Status quo on fee waivers (eligible ASEs would continue to receive a fee waiver for the operating fee, building fee and technology fee)
  • Proposed wage increases of 2% on July 1, 2018, 2% on July 1, 2019, and 2% on July 1, 2020

Next Steps

The next UW-UAW bargaining sessions are scheduled for May 29 and June 1.