Labor Relations

UW – UAW Postdoc Negotiations Recap through December 20, 2018

Background

This recap details the current status of negotiations for the first collective bargaining agreement between the UW and UAW Postdocs. Recaps are published online on the UW Labor Relations website.

Past 2018 Bargaining Dates:

  • June 15 & 22
  • October 12 & 19
  • November 13, 15 & 19
  • December 11, 18 & 20

Future 2019 Bargaining Dates:

  • January 4, 9, 17 & 24
  • February 14 & 20
  • In addition to these dates, the parties have met multiple times and recently reached an agreement defining the bargaining unit.
  • The Union completed their initial proposals on November 15.
  • As of the end of the November 19 session, the Employer has provided a counter proposal on all non-economic proposals. The Union proposed that the parties tackle non-economic proposals first.

UAW Proposals

Benefits (Medical and others) – UAW proposed 100% paid coverage for all Postdocs, priority access to UW non-student campus housing and reimbursement of up to $5,000 for relocation expenses.

Childcare – UAW proposed $1,000 per child per month for any childcare provider.

Compensation – UAW has proposed an increase of the Postdoc minimum to $57,932, with annual increases January 1 of 2% or the Personal Consumption Expenditure Index for Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area, whichever is greater.

Intellectual Property – UAW proposed Postdocs be eligible to be PIs on extramural funding proposals and applications, be named inventors on any and all IP that they have contributed to during their research and determine how to license and distribute any software or datasets that may be produced as part of their research activities at the UW, including the use of free and permissive licenses.

Retirement Benefits – UAW proposed contribution rates for all Postdocs – 5% under age 35 – over age 35, 7.5%, with the option of contributing 10% when over the age of 50.  Postdocs not eligible for UWRP would receive contributions in a UW VIP account with the UW matching that contribution, and all postdocs shall be eligible for a $100 reimbursement of fees to manage their retirement accounts.

Sexual Harassment and Prevention Training – UAW proposed the UW hire 5 – 20% FTEs per quarter to jointly administer the sexual harassment training with the UW. Training would be similar to the UAW ASE model.

Transportation – Free U-PASS, free access to bicycle parking at each Postdoc work location, $100,000 per year for a Bike Program, $50 per quarter towards bicycle maintenance or bike-share usage and a free helmet.

Visas – UAW proposed all costs related to the initial visa application and visa renewal – including costs for legal spouses and dependents are covered by the UW. Additionally, the UAW proposed the UW cover all “financial loss” if the time for visa/work authorization processing exceeds 90 days.

Tentative Agreements

As of December 20, the parties have signed tentative agreements to close the following provisions:

  • Individual Development Plans and Progress Assessments
  • Joint Union Management Committee
  • Preamble
  • Side Letter – Workday Rosters
  • Subcontracting
  • Subordination of Agreement and Savings Clause
  • Training
  • Travel Pay
  • Union Security
  • Voluntary Community Action Program