SEIU 1199 – UW Negotiations Recap for May 4
Background
This recap details the first virtual session between the UW and Service Employees International Union 1199NW for three different collective bargaining agreements: one at Harborview Medical Center (which includes Airlift Northwest), and two at UW Medical Center – Northwest. The Employer and the Union have agreed to two initial joint sessions, after which the parties will bargain at two different tables, one for each location (Harborview Medical Center and UW Medical Center – Northwest). Recaps are published online on the UW Labor Relations website, here for the Harborview Medical Center negotiations and here for the UW Medical Center – Northwest negotiations.
Opening Statements
Management listened attentively for a few hours while Union bargaining team members introduced themselves and shared their stories of personal and professional challenges during the last year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The University team empathetically responded, thanking them for sharing their experiences.
SEIU 1199 Initial Proposals
COVID-19 Relief Hours – The Union proposed that the Employer would provide each employee 24 hours of time off hours (COVID Relief Days) every quarter to be used in that quarter through June 30, 2023. Per-diem employees would be provided COVID-19 Relief hours based on the hours worked in fiscal year 2021. If the relief days were not used, they would roll over to the next quarter. These relief days would be in addition to the accrual of other forms of paid time off, and could be used for vacation, sick, or holiday time off.
COVID-19 Pay – The union proposed that the Employer would provide a $2000 HERO bonus for every employee, pro-rated to match FTE in recognition of the risks and labor of the employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Per-diem employees would be eligible for the HERO bonus based on hours worked during FY 2021.
Behavioral and Mental Health – The Union proposed that the Employer would reimburse up to $1,000 annually per employee for behavioral health or mental health services, and that the Employer would provide evidence-based behavioral and mental health resources at work for employees who need support.
Next Steps
The next joint bargaining session between the UW and SEIU 1199 is scheduled for May 11 and will be held virtually.