Labor Relations

SEIU 1199 – UW (Harborview) Negotiations Recap for May 25

Background

This recap details the sixth virtual session between the UW and Service Employees International Union 1199NW for the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for Harborview Medical Center/Airlift Northwest (HMC/ALNW). Recaps are published online on the UW Labor Relations website.

SEIU 1199 Initial Proposals

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Council – The Union proposed the following changes to the EDI Council:

  • Facilitation: The Union proposed that within 60 days of ratification, the workgroup would interview and choose two independent facilitators to assist in the work of the committee.
  • Trainings: The Union proposed that the trainings outlined in the original MOU would occur annually, and that eight-hour trainings could be split into two four-hours trainings.
  • Participants: The Union proposed to split the participants of the EDI Council into voting and non-voting members. Voting members would include the four members from SEIU 1199, SEIU 925, and WFSE referred to by current contract language, and the union proposed to add four optional unrepresented voting members. Non-voting members would include the HMC Director, the two HR representatives, and the ad hoc representatives from HMC and the UW Medicine EDI Programs referred to by current contract language, and the union proposed to add an additional non-voting member from each union.
  • Scope: The Union proposed specific work that would engage the EDI Council, including creation and implementation of the HMC Blueprint for EDI, Bias Reporting Tools, Identity-based caucusing, EDI staff workshops, and a new EDI Response and Oversight Structure that would support individuals or groups in addressing issues that may go beyond the legal definitions of discrimination and harassment.
  • Timing: The Union proposed that the monthly meetings would be three hours long and would include an hour of caucus time preceding each meeting.
  • Release: The Union proposed that all time spent in meetings, pre-meeting caucuses, or doing committee work away from the committee would be paid time.

Arbitration Panel – The Union proposed a new slate of arbitrators that would replace the current arbitrators on the arbitration panel with the purpose of increasing diversity.  The Employer expressed a commitment to increasing the diversity of the panel and asked for additional information on the location of the proposed new panel members, explaining that travel is included in arbitrators’ fees.

Joint Labor Management Meetings (JLMs) – The Union proposed to reduce from 14 days to seven the number of days in advance both the agenda for the JLM and the release requests for the JLMs would need to be submitted.

The Union proposed to move the following Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Side Letters into the body of the CBA:

  • MOU – Article 17 Vacation Schedule
    • Move to Article 17 – Vacation Schedule
  • MOU – Committees – Dietitians
    • Move to Article 15 – Committees
  • MOU – Dietitian Premiums
    • Move to Article 45 – Wages and Other Pay Provisions
  • Side Letter B – Meal Breaks, Rest Breaks, and Missed Break Reporting
    • Move to Article 9 – Hours of Work and Overtime
  • Side Letter C – Break Relief Practices
    • Move to Article 9 – Hours of Work and Overtime
  • Side Letter G – UPASS
    • Move to a new article

The Union proposed to strike these outdated MOUs and Side Letters:

  • MOU – Callback From Standby
  • MOU – Dietitian Bargaining Unit and Wages
  • MOU – Lump Sum Payment
  • MOU – Pharmacy Tech Pay Range Increases
  • MOU – Top Salary Steps for Pay Table BE and BS
  • Side Letter D – 4WH Rehab

The Union proposed to renew the following MOUs and Side Letters for the 2021 – 2023 CBA:

  • MOU – Commitment to Staff Consistent with Approved Plans
  • MOU – Harborview Nursing Scholarships
  • MOU – Medical Errors
  • MOU – Respiratory Therapists Skills Training
  • MOU – Salary Overpayment Recovery
  • Side Letter A – UPASS/Transportation and Non-Nursing Work
  • Side Letter E – Diversity and Inclusion
  • Side Letter F – Tracking Discrimination and Bias

Next Steps

The next UW and SEIU 1199 bargaining session for the HMC/ALNW CBA is scheduled for June 2 and will be held virtually. The Union stated they will likely be able to complete the presentation of their initial proposals at this June 2 session.