Labor Relations

UW – UWHA Negotiations Recap for September 3 and September 5, 2019

Background

This recap details the eighth and ninth session for the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement between the UW and UWHA. Recaps are published online on the UW Labor Relations website.

Tentative Agreements

The parties tentatively agreed to the following articles:

  • Article 8 – Health and Safety
    • Housekeeping edits
  • Article 9 – Housestaff Advisory Committee
    • Added language allows for the parties to discuss additional committee topics upon mutual agreement
  • Appendix IV – MOU on Reimbursement for Washington State Medical Licenses
    • Housekeeping edits

Employer Counter Proposals

Meals – The Employer removed its placeholder regarding meal reimbursements, and proposed that UW Medicine will not change its existing reimbursement procedures or policy without providing the Union notice and opportunity to bargain.

Salary/Stipend and Travel Allowance – The Employer proposed to move $650 from the Travel Allowance to the Home Call Stipend for a lump sum of $1,800 beginning July 1, 2020. Beginning July 1, 2020, the Travel Allowance would be a $100 lump sum in the first month of the resident’s academic year.

Childcare – The Employer proposed to eliminate language stating that each childcare center has its own waitlist as there is instead one wait pool. In response to UWHA’s proposal, the Employer proposed to maintain the existing Resident childcare fund at $50,000 per year.

Grievance Procedure – The Employer maintained its proposal of standardizing the process for a grievance in order to resolve disputes at the earliest opportunity and at the lowest level, including having a grievance filed within thirty days. The Employer proposed to maintain language that Step Three would be Mediation with Public Employment Relations Commission with a backup of Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service or another agreed upon mediation provider, and that Step Four would be Arbitration, utilizing an existing panel of six arbitrators.

Union Counter Proposals

UWHA Membership – In response to the Employer’s proposal, UWHA proposed additional language to allow the Union the ability to write an introductory document presented to candidates who are interviewed and union members within the first thirty days of beginning their program.

Next Steps

The next UW and UWHA bargaining session is scheduled for September 26.