University of Washington Human Resources

UW & UAW ASE Negotiations Recap for March 15, 2024

Background

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

UW Initial Proposals

Article 37- Duration

The Employer proposed a three year contract to be effective through April 30, 2027.

MOU- Transportation and U-PASS

The Employer proposed to extend the U-PASS fee waiver for eligible bargaining unit employees through Spring Quarter of 2027.

The Employer proposed to keep the following article current contract language:

Article 19- No Strike No Lockouts

UW Counter Proposals

New Article- Reasonable Accommodations

In response to UAW, the Employer proposed language around the interactive process the ASEs should follow if an ASE believes that a medical condition is affecting their ability to perform their job. The Employer added language that the Human Resources Consultant (HRC) for the ASE’s employing department would provide the services to ASEs with disabilities. The Employer proposed to add additional language around pregnancy accommodations, a section regarding disability separation, and to move the UAW proposed section regarding ergonomics to Article 9 Health and Safety.

Article 9 – Health and Safety

In response to UAW, the Employer proposed to remove language around reasonable accommodations of ASEs with a disability from the Health and Safety article as both parties are now proposing a new reasonable accommodation article. In response to the Union’s proposal on ergonomics in their reasonable accommodations article, the Employer proposed to add a new section regarding ergonomics to this article. This new section details the process the Employer proposes the ASEs should follow if they believe job procedures, or use of University-owned or operated workstations or equipment will cause or exacerbate musculoskeletal injury or discomfort.

UAW ASE Counter Proposals

New Article- Reasonable Accommodations

In response to the Employer, UAW incorporated language proposed by the Employer around the HRCs role in the process and pregnancy accommodations. UAW reiterated the rest of their initial proposal.

Tentative Agreements

UAW and UW agreed to maintain current contract language on the following articles:

Article 3 – Definitions

Article 6 – Discipline or Dismissal

Article 18 – Management Rights

Article 26 – Training

LOA A – Workers Compensation

Article 1 – Purpose and Intent

New language was added changing “the Handbook of the University of Washington” to now read “Board of Regents governance; employment and administrative policies; faculty code and governance; Presidential Orders; and student governance and policies of the University of Washington” which were formerly part of the Handbook.

Article 28 – Union Management Committee

New language was added to state that the joint Union-Management Committee formed to address issues that are not the subject of an active grievance will now be held upon request.

Next Steps

The next UW & UAW ASE bargaining session is scheduled for March 22, 2024. The parties have agreed that all initial proposals will be made by the March 22, 2024 session.