UW – SAG-AFTRA Negotiations Recap for April 19
Background
This recap details the second session for the negotiation of the second collective bargaining agreement between the University of Washington (UW) and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) for KUOW. Recaps are published online on the UW Labor Relations website.
SAG-AFTRA Initial Proposals
Article 9 – Overtime
The Union proposed to strike language that states that Hosts and News Hosts are overtime exempt positions. The Union stated the intent of the proposal was that Hosts and News Hosts would become overtime eligible positions.
Article 14 – Temporary Hourly Fill-In Employees
The Union proposed that the Employer would notify the Union of a new temporary hourly fill-in hire within 10 business days. Under this proposal, such notice would include the hire’s name, expected length of hire, reason for hire, the employee the new hire was filling in for, and the rate of pay.
Article 15 – Fellows and Interns
The Union proposed that the Employer would notify the Union of a new fellow or intern within 10 business days. Under this proposal, the notice would include the fellow’s or intern’s name and designation as fellow or intern.
Article 32 – Notification of New Hires
The Union proposed that the Employer would notify the Union and complete a Status Notification Form for reclassifications, terminations, discharges, resignations or transfers out of the bargaining unit no later than 15 calendar days from such an occurrence. Under current contract language, the Status Notification Form is only used to notify the Union of new hires.
Article 38 – Fill-in Premium
The Union proposed that bargaining unit employees temporarily assigned to work in a classification with a higher minimum scale would be paid for the day at the higher scale or at an additional $7 per hour over their regular rate of pay. The Union also proposed that bargaining unit employees temporarily assigned to work outside of the bargaining unit would be paid for the day an additional 20% per hour over their regular rate of pay.
Article 39 – Compensation
Payscale and Rate Increases
The Union proposed that all pay scales would be raised consistent with inflation or 5%, whichever is higher, for each year of the contract. The Union also proposed that each employee’s rate of pay would be raised consistent with inflation or 5%, whichever is higher, for each year of the contract.
Automatic Promotion
The Union proposed the employees would be automatically upgraded from Producer 1, Producer 2, Producer 3, Reporter 1, Reporter 2, Announcer 1, or Web Producer 1 to the next classification upon accruing three years of professional journalism experience within each band. The existence of an automatic upgrade would not preclude
a bargaining unit employee from being upgraded to the next band based on demonstrated experience and
achievements.
Article 40 – Duration
The Union proposed that the successor agreement would have a three-year term.
MOU – Seattle Locality Premium
The Union proposed to extend this MOU for the 2022 – 2025 agreement. The MOU states that if the Employer agrees to accept monies funded by the State or otherwise obtained for represented employees during the term of the agreement, then the bargaining unit would receive the benefit of those amounts.
Appendix I – Job Titles and Minimum Salary Thresholds
The Union proposed the following minimum salary increases and new classifications:
| Job Title | Current Minimum Salary | Proposed Minimum Salary |
| Producer/Announcer | $58,000 | $85,000 |
| Producer 1 – Radioactive | $58,000 | $80,000 |
| Producer 2 – News | $61,000 | $85,000 |
| Producer 2 – Podcast | $61,000 | $85,000 |
| Producer 2 – Radioactive | $61,000 | $85,000 |
| Producer 2 – Social Media | $61,000 | $85,000 |
| Producer 2 – Talk Show | $61,000 | $85,000 |
| Producer 3 – Community Engagement | $66,000 | $90,000 |
| NEW Producer 3 – News | $90,000 | |
| NEW Producer 3 – Radioactiv | $90,000 | |
| NEW Producer 3 – Social Media | $90,000 | |
| Producer 3 – Podcast | $66,000 | $90,000 |
| Producer 3 – Talk Show | $66,000 | $90,000 |
| Producer 4 – Drivetime | $72,000 | $97,000 |
| NEW Producer 4 – Community Engagement | $97,000 | |
| NEW Producer 4 – Podcast | $97,000 | |
| NEW Producer 4 – Talkshow | $97,000 | |
| Newscaster/Reporter | $72,000 | $97,000 |
| Reporter 1 | $66,000 | $90,000 |
| Reporter 2 | $72,000 | $97,000 |
| NEW Reporter 3 | $103,000 | |
| Board Operator | $58,000 | $80,000 |
| Announcer | $61,000 | $85,000 |
| Announcer 2 | $91,000 | |
| Web Producer | $61,000 | $90,000 |
| NEW Web Producer 2 | $97,000 | |
| Online Editor/Reporter | $70,000 | $95,000 |
| Show Host | $90,000 | $116,000 |
| News Host | $90,000 | $116,000 |
| Producer/Host – Community Engagement | $90,000 | $116,000 |
UW Initial Proposals
Article 4 – Prayer and Lactation
The Employer proposed to include a citation of the Administrative Policy Statement on lactation for employee reference.
Article 13 – Definitions of Full-Time and Part-Time Employees
The Employer proposed to modify language defining full-time employees, such that they are defined as employees who work 40 hours rather than employees who work up to 40 hours.
Article 40 – Duration
The Employer proposed that the successor agreement would become effective July 1, 2022, or upon ratification, whichever is later, and would be in effect until June 30, 2025.
The Employer proposed housekeeping edits only on the following provisions:
- Mission Statement and Preamble
- Article 19 – Benefits
- Article 21 – Holidays
Next Steps
The next UW and SAG-AFTRA bargaining session is scheduled for May 5 and will be held virtually.