UW – SAG-AFTRA Negotiations Recap 11/01/22
Background
This recap details the twelfth 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.
Counter Proposals
Article 7 – Union Security
Employer Proposal: In response to the Union, the Employer simplified its language pertaining to the Employer’s plan to build a new web based electronic reporting system for the Union to transmit authorizations for deductions of dues to the Employer. In the new proposed language, the Union may provide input to the Employer regarding the web based electronic reporting system’s development. Prior to implementing the system, the Employer would provide the Union with notice and opportunity to bargain.
Article 9 – Overtime
Union Proposal: The Union proposed adding new language stating that overtime exempt employees would be eligible for flex-time after working more than forty hours in a week, this flex time would need to be used within thirty days of the extra work.
Employer Proposal: In response to the Union, the Employer proposed adding new language stating that overtime exempt employees would be encouraged to consult with their supervisors regarding possible temporary adjustments of work hours to accommodate the appropriate balance between extended work time and offsetting time, whenever possible.
Article 14 – Temporary Hourly Fill-In Employees & Project Appointments
Union Proposal: The Union reasserted its proposal that project appointment employees would be absolutely limited to a twelve months tenure. The Union proposed that the Employer would provide the Union with the name of project appointment hires, expected length of hire, and the reason for the hire, within ten business days of their hire. The usage of project appointment employees may also be an appropriate agenda item for Joint Union Management committee meetings.
Employer Proposal: In response to the Union, the Employer proposed to add new language around project appointment employees to the temporary hourly fill-in article. The proposed new language states project appointments would be for up to twelve months in duration, and filled as determined by the Employer. The Employer would provide the Union with the name of project appointment(s) within ten business days of their hire. The usage of project appointment employees may also be an appropriate agenda item for Joint Union Management committee meetings.
Article 39 – Compensation
Union Proposal: The Union altered their previous proposal regarding minimum salaries by lowering the proposed minimums by $300 to $700 for jobs they proposed would make more than $75,000 in their previous new minimums proposal. The Union’s new proposal is to increase minimum salaries retroactive to July 1, 2022, by a range of 15% to 29%, depending on the position.
Discretionary Time Off (DTO)
Union Proposal: The Union proposed to add new contract language stating employees who receive award nomination(s) for their work would receive one discretionary time off day per award nomination, and one additional discretionary time off day per win, while maintaining the rest of the previous proposal.
Employer Proposal: In response to the Union, the Employer added award nominations and/or wins to the examples of extraordinary service that could result in discretionary time off being awarded, within its otherwise unchanged proposal.
Next Steps
The next UW and SAG-AFTRA bargaining session is scheduled for November 30 and will be held virtually.