UW – UWHA Negotiations Recap for August 6, 2019
Background
This recap details the fourth session for the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement between the UW and UWHA. Recaps are published online on the UW Labor Relations website.
Union Initial Proposals
Professional Liability Coverage – UWHA proposed language that would require the Employer to provide professional liability coverage for any approved internal moonlighting activities.
Wellness & Counseling Services – UWHA proposed new language around scheduling counseling and therapy services stating that residents would make every effort to schedule sessions to not impede patient care, but if sessions were scheduled during work time, they would be released from clinical duties to attend. The Union proposed language clarifying that residents are not required to discuss professional or personal problems in order to attend counseling sessions.
Meals – UWHA proposed to expand meal reimbursement to all rotation sites. The Union proposed to increase the single meal reimbursement value from $7.50 to $11.00, with an increase of $0.50 per year of the agreement.
Communication Stipend – UWHA proposed that residents who are required to have a pager and phone would be compensated in a lump sum of $600 ($50/month) at the beginning of each year.
Uniforms and Laundry – UWHA proposed to add language stating that appropriate and accessible cleaning services for required physician lab coats would be provided at no cost to the resident.
Fitness – UWHA proposed that there be reasonable access to an exercise room and equipment at each institution where residents are assigned. The proposal stated that fitness facilities access would be free and accessible by all residents, 24 hours a day and 365 days per year.
Relocation Stipend – UWHA proposed a new relocation stipend for residents who move/relocate to work for the Employer. The maximum reimbursement allowance would be $3,000.
Benefits at Non-UW Controlled Facilities – UWHA proposed to add language stating that when a non-University controlled facility does not provide a benefit as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement or required by the ACGME, the University would provide that benefit.
Unauthorized Concerted Actions – UWHA proposed language stating that any employees who engage in unauthorized concerted actions would be subject to the same disciplinary action applied equally across the board.
Parking – UWHA proposed to expand free parking during nights and weekends to any UW Medicine clinical site.
Travel Allowance – UWHA proposed an increase to the existing allowance for travel from $750 to $1,000 per year.
Away Rotation Reimbursement – UWHA proposed that language stating that residents who are required to travel to away rotations more than fifty (50) miles from their primary work site would be placed on travel status, and reimbursed for lodging, mileage and gasoline in accordance with relevant law and UW policy.
U-PASS – UWHA proposed that residents would be provided with a fully-subsidized U-PASS.
Bicycles Benefits – UWHA proposed to increase the current bike maintenance and repair reimbursement from $100 to $150 per year. Additionally, the Union proposed that each resident would be reimbursed up to $100 per year in bike share fees. UWHA proposed an increase from $25 to $50 per quarter for those who bike more than 80% of the quarter, to apply towards bike maintenance.
Emergency/Safe Ride Home Program – UWHA proposed that the UW would fully reimbursable roundtrip rideshare fares whenever a residents feels unsafe. The proposal provides no cap on the number of requests per resident, and the service could be used after any length of shift.
The Employer requested information from the Union regarding emergency/safe ride home reimbursements made by the Union in the last two years.
Next Steps
The next UW-UWHA bargaining session is scheduled for August 12 during which the Union will continue to present its initial proposals.