University of Washington Human Resources

UW & UAW Postdocs Negotiations Recap for December 16, and December 19, 2022

Background

This recap details the seventh and eighth session for the negotiation for the collective bargaining agreement between the UW and UAW Postdocs. Recaps are published online on the UW Labor Relations website.

Tentative Agreements

The parties tentatively agreed to the following:

Article 12- Intellectual Property and Academic Rights

• This article details intellectual property and academic rights. Executive Order No. 61 “Research Misconduct Policy” was incorporated into the article. New language was also added stating that the only time the Grievance Procedure of this Agreement will apply to Executive Order 61 is in the event of dismissal or discipline of Postdoctoral Scholars as a result of a misapplication of an element of this policy.

New article – Military Leave

• This article details military leave. A new article was created to ensure compliance with policies, the law and to thoroughly define the military leave benefit.

UW Counter Proposals

Article 24- Time Off and Leaves

In response to the Union’s counter proposal, the Employer added the Employer’s proposed article addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking back into the article. The Employer proposed to define what time off could be used, and defined who is a family member, under the article, as time off may also be granted to a Postdoctoral Scholar who has to assist a family member who is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.

Article 27- Transportation

In response to the Union the Employer proposed to add language stating if a Postdoctoral Scholar’s designated work location does not have shower facilities, upon the request of the Postdoctoral Scholar, access to shower facilities may be granted at a nearby UW-controlled building that has shower facilities, that otherwise would be available to the Postdoctoral Scholar. The Employer added language stating this new section would not be subject to Article 7 Grievance Procedure.

Article 32- Wages

The Employer proposed to maintain its previous proposal that effective January 1, 2023, the minimum salary for Postdoctoral Scholars would be raised to $65,508 for all six experience levels. This is up from a minimum of $53,760 for experience level 0 (0-11 months) to a minimum of $60,780 for experience level 5 (60-71 months). The Employer proposed new language stating Postdoctoral Scholars that receive a pay increase of 1% or more on January 1, 2023, will not be eligible for another pay increase for 12 months or until their anniversary date in 2024, whichever is later. The Employer proposed at the time of a new appointment, reappointment, or anniversary date (whichever comes first) on or after January 1, 2023, to raise the minimum salary for Postdoctoral Scholars-Fellows to $65,508 if allowed by the funding source. The Employer proposed all Postdoctoral Scholars would receive a salary/stipend increase of no less than one percent 1% every year on the anniversary date of their appointment.

New Article- Housing

The Employer formally rejected the Union’s proposal to create an article obligating the Employer to subsidize Postdoctoral Scholar housing costs.

UAW Counter Proposals

Article 24- Time Off and Leaves

The Union proposed to add that an employee would get up to two additional days of bereavement time off if significant travel is required to attend a funeral or memorial service. The Union proposed to add that any Postdoctoral Scholar who has been employed for at least six continuous months, who either resigns or retires, is laid-off or is terminated by the University would be entitled to accrued vacation time off and sick time off pay out.

Article 27- Transportation

In response to the Employer the Union proposed to add language stating If an employee’s designated work location does not have shower facilities, upon request, the employee would be granted access to a nearby UW-controlled building that has shower facilities. The Union proposed adding new language stating gaining access to shower facilities for employees working in non-UW controlled spaces would be an appropriate subject for the Joint Union Management Committee.

Article 32- Wages

The Union proposed to maintain their changes to the pay table from:

To a new pay table:

In response to the Employer, the Union proposed new language stating Postdoctoral Scholars that receive a pay increase of 4% or more on January 1 of each year will not be eligible for another pay increase for 12 months or until their anniversary date in the following year, whichever is later. The Union maintained their previous proposal that the new pay table would be increased by 7% annually. Additionally, the Union proposed that Postdoctoral Scholars who have salary above the experience level minimum, will receive a 4% increase on their anniversary date.

Next Steps

The next UW & UAW Postdocs bargaining session is scheduled for December 21, 2022 and will be held virtually.