UW – SAG-AFTRA Negotiations Recap 10/12/22
Background
This recap details the tenth session for the negotiation of the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Washington (UW) and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) for KUOW. Both parties were joined by Public Employment Relations Commission mediator Karyl Elinski. Recaps are published online on the UW Labor Relations website.
UW Package Counter Proposals
The package contained the following counters that respond to all open articles:
Article 7- Union Security
The Employer reasserted its previous proposal that when the Employer builds the planned new web based electronic reporting system the Union would use it to transmit authorizations for deductions of dues to the Employer.
Article 9- Overtime
In response to the Union, the Employer proposed language stating that the parties have a mutual interest in promoting work/life balance, while maintaining high quality journalistic work. In support of this, the Employer would make a good faith effort to reduce overtime, whenever possible.
Article 18- Safety and Health
In response to the Union, the Employer proposed language stating that the parties recognize the trauma that journalists may experience in the course of their work and as such, the Employer is committed to continuing to work with employees to reduce the exposure to and effects of such trauma.
Article 38- Broadcast Host Premium
The Employer proposed to accept the Union’s last counter to increase the broadcast host premium from $500 for at least ten days per year to $350 for every five days worked covering as a broadcast host.
Article 39- Compensation
In order to be responsive to the Union the Employer added new contract language stating that employees may request salary reviews directly to their supervisor.
Discretionary Time Off (DTO)
In response to the Union, the Employer proposed to issue all bargaining unit employees with a one-time award of one DTO day, accompanied with a new DTO policy. The new policy would provide two pathways for DTO awards. First, supervisors would be able to award up to 3 DTO days per person for extraordinary service. Additionally, the Employer could award up to 3 DTO days to recognize noteworthy service on certain committees. Employees would be eligible for both DTO pathways, up to a maximum of six days of discretionary time off per calendar year per employee.
Next Steps
The next UW and SAG-AFTRA bargaining session is scheduled for October 25 and will be held virtually.