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.