Labor Relations

UAW RSE – UW Negotiations Recap for May 5

Background

This recap details the twenty-nineth virtual session between the University of Washington (UW) and United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 4121 for the first collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for Research Scientist Engineers (RSEs). Both parties were joined by Public Employment Relations Commission mediator Chris Casillas. Recaps are published online on the UW Labor Relations website.

Tentative Agreements

Visa Sponsorship

  • This Side Letter details that the University may establish a pilot program for non-academic employee visa sponsorship. Should the Employer decide to start a pilot program, the Employer and Union may meet to discuss the program’s progress.

Employer Counter Proposals

Compensation

The Employer’s current compensation proposal is:

  • Effective 90 days after ratification all employees hired prior to April 1, 2022, who have not received a permanent salary increase within the last 12 months would receive an across-the-board increase of 3.25%
  • Effective 90 days after ratification a 3% increase to the minimums for Research Scientist/Engineer Assistant and Research Scientist/Engineer Assistant APL Classifications
  • Effective 90 days after ratification a 3% increase to the minimums for Research Scientist/Engineer 1 and all Research Scientist/Engineer 1 APL classifications
  • Effective 90 days after ratification a 3% increase to the minimums for Research Scientist/Engineer 2 and Research Scientist/Engineer 2 APL Classifications
  • Effective September 1, 2023, all employees shall receive an across-the-board increase of 4%
  • Effective September 1, 2024, all employees shall receive an across-the-board increase of 3%
  • Effective September 1, 2025, all employees shall receive an across-the-board increase of 2.5%

Duration

In response to the Union the Employer reasserted much of their previous proposal making a small housekeeping edit regarding the date the successor agreement would begin bargaining.

Union Counter Proposals

Compensation

The Union’s current compensation proposal is:

  • Effective 90 days after ratification all employees hired prior to April 1, 2022, who have not received a permanent salary increase within the last 12 months would receive an across-the-board increase of 3.25%
  • Effective 90 days after ratification a 25% increase to the minimums for Research Scientist/Engineer Assistant and Research Scientist/Engineer Assistant APL Classifications
  • Effective 90 days after ratification a 25% increase to the minimums for Research Scientist/Engineer 1 and Research Scientist/Engineer 1 APL Classifications
  • Effective 90 days after ratification a 20% increase to the minimums for Research Scientist/Engineer 2 and Research Scientist/Engineer 2 APL Classifications
  • Effective 90 days after ratification a 12.5% increase to the minimums for Research Scientist/Engineer 3 and Research Scientist/Engineer 3 APL Classifications
  • Effective 90 days after ratification a 7.5% increase to the minimums for Research Scientist/Engineer 4 and Research Scientist/Engineer 4 APL Classifications
  • Effective September 1, 2023, all employees shall receive an across-the-board increase of 7%
  • Effective September 1, 2024, all employees shall receive an across-the-board increase of 6%
  • Effective September 1, 2025, all employees shall receive an across-the-board increase of 6%

Childcare

In response to the Employer, the Union decreased its proposal for the amount of funds the UW would make available to a Research Scientist childcare fund from $100,000 to $90,000 per year of the agreement. Under this proposal, the Employer would distribute $45,000 of these funds in May of each year and the remainder in November of each yet.

Duration

In response to the Employer the Union reasserted much of their previous proposal making a small housekeeping edit regarding the date the successor agreement would begin bargaining.

Overtime

In response to the Employer the Union lowered their proposal so it now states overtime eligible employees may work up to 5 hours of overtime per month without preapproval. This is down from the previous proposal of 5 hours per pay period.

Next Steps

The next UAW and UW bargaining session is scheduled for May 16 and will be held virtually.