RFPU – UW Negotiations Recap for Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Background
This recap details the twelfth virtual session for the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the University of Washington and the Resident and Fellow Physicians Union (RFPU). Recaps are published online on the UW Labor Relations website.
RFPU Counter Proposals
The Union presented a package proposal that contained the following:
Article 1 – Definitions
Included in this package proposal was the Employer’s Article 1 proposal from February 16th.
Article 3 – Childcare
Childcare Fund
The Union proposed reducing the fund to assist in childcare expenses from $1, 080,000 to $750,000 annually.
Lactation Accommodation
The Union proposed that Residents would be permitted to pump breast milk in workrooms and other locations other than pumping rooms. Additionally, the Union proposed that where possible, single-person pumping rooms would be converted to accommodate two Residents.
Article 6 – Fringe Benefits
Meals
The Union proposed that for all shifts scheduled more than eight hours, meals would be reimbursed at $12 per meal beginning July 2022 and, $13 per meal beginning July 2023.
Relocation
The Union reduced their relocation stipend proposal from $3000 to $2800.
Article 8 – Health and Safety
Workplace Violence Prevention
The Union proposed incorporating the Employer’s language from the previous proposal that addresses prevention and policies regarding workplace violence. The Union added that Residents would be able to request caring for patients that they reasonably believe pose a risk to the Resident’s safety.
Article 13 – Miscellaneous Leave
Included in this package proposal was the Employer’s Article 13 proposal from May 18th.
Article 14 – Leave Professional
Included in this package proposal was the Employer’s Article 14 proposal from April 6th.
Article 16 – Leave Vacation
Included in this package proposal was the Employer’s Article 16 proposal from June 1st.
Article 17 – Management Rights
As a part of this package, Article 17 is being proposed as current contract language.
Article 18 – Working Outside of the Training Program
As a part of this package, Article 18 is being proposed as current contract language.
Article 19 – No Strikes/No Lockouts
As a part of this package, Article 19 is being proposed as current contract language.
Article 20 – Non-Discrimination
Included in this package proposal was the Employer’s Article 20 proposal from March 23rd.
Article 22 – Salary/Stipend
The Union proposed a 3% salary increase for all years and an allowance of $11,400 to also increase by 3% annually.
Article 24 – Transportation
Changes to Parking Policies and Rates
The Union proposed that daily parking rates at UW Medicine sites would not occur without notice and opportunity for impact bargaining.
Parking During Nights and Weekends
The Union proposed that:
- Residents would not be charged for parking during nights whenever they enter a parking garage after 4pm and exit before 9am.
- Residents would not be charged for parking during weekends whenever they enter a garage beginning at 12am Saturday and exist before 11:59pm on Sunday.
- When Residents park at Triangle Garage the Resident would not be charged for parking when entering after 4pm on a weekend nor if they exit before 9am.
- When Residents park at P1, P2, P3, and P4 lots at Harborview the Resident would not be charged for parking when entering after 4pm nor if they exit before 9am.
- In emergent patient situations that involves a Resident not being able to exit before 9am then the department would be billed for the Resident’s parking fee.
Article 25 – Union Activities
Included in this package proposal was the Employer’s Article 25 proposal from February 23rd.
Article 26 – Duration
Included in this package proposal was the Employer’s proposal in January 19th.
New Article – Scheduling
Hours
The Union proposed reducing the extra duty pay from $17 an hour to $10 an hour.
Home Call
The Union proposed that if called in from home call, Residents would be given a minimum of eight hours off, down from fourteen, between completion of clinical work and next assigned clinical work or educational periods.
UW Counter Proposals
In response to the Union’s proposal, the Employer presented a package proposal that contained the following:
Article 1 – Definitions
Included in this package proposal was the Employer’s Article 1 proposal from February 16th.
Article 3 – Childcare
Childcare Fund
The proposed increasing the childcare fund from $50,000 to $75,000.
Lactation Accommodation
The Employer proposed that Residents would be permitted to pump breast milk in locations other than pumping rooms provided privacy and safety can be accommodated.
Article 6 – Fringe Benefits
Meals
The Employer proposed that meal reimbursement would be increased to $13 per meal during the third year of this agreement.
Article 8 – Health and Safety
Included in this package proposal was the Employer’s Article 8 proposal from March 23rd.
Article 13 – Miscellaneous Leave
Included in this package proposal was the Employer’s Article 13 proposal from May 18th.
Article 14 – Leave Professional
Included in this package proposal was the Employer’s Article 14 proposal from April 6th.
Article 16 – Leave Vacation
Included in this package proposal was the Employer’s Article 16 proposal from June 1st.
Article 17 – Management Rights
As a part of this package, Article 17 is being proposed as current contract language.
Article 18 – Working Outside of the Training Program
As a part of this package, Article 18 is being proposed as current contract language.
Article 19 – No Strikes/No Lockouts
As a part of this package, Article 19 is being proposed as current contract language.
Article 20 – Non-Discrimination
Included in this package proposal was the Employer’s Article 20 proposal March 23rd.
Article 22 – Salary/Stipend
Housestaff Salary/Allowance
The Employer proposed increasing the annual percentage increase to 3% in the third year of this agreement. Additionally, the annual allowance would be $5000 for years 1 and 2 and for year 3 it would be $6000.
Article 24 – Transportation
Parking During Nights and Weekends
The Employer proposed that:
- When Residents park at Triangle Garage the Resident would not be charged for parking when entering after 4pm on a weekend nor if they exit before 8am.
- When Residents park at P1, P2, P3, and P4 lots at Harborview the Resident would not be charged for parking when entering after 4pm nor if they exit before 8am.
- In emergent patient situations that involves a Resident not being able to exit before 8am then the Resident would request reimbursement from the appropriate medical department.
Shuttles
The Employer proposed that Seattle Children’s Hospital badges would be provided on the first day of SCH rotations by SCH GME Office staff and instructions on free parking and alternative transportation would also be provided.
Article 25 – Union Activities
Included in this package proposal was the Employer’s Article 25 proposal from February 23rd.
Article 26 – Duration
Included in this package proposal was the Employer’s Article 26 proposal from January 19th.
New Article – Scheduling
In response to the Union’s proposal, the Employer proposed adding that Residents would not be disciplined for reporting scheduled work hour violations.
Next Steps
The next RFPU and UW bargaining session is scheduled for Wednesday, June 22 and will be held virtually.