Labor Relations

UW & UAW Postdocs Negotiations Recap for January 8, 2025

Background

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

 

UW Counter Proposals

Article 23 – Time and Effort Commitment

In response to the Union, the Employer added a section from MOU-Overtime that the employer has proposed to strike that on or about November 1 each year of this agreement, the University would remind supervisors of the legal requirements outlined in this article. Additionally, the University would inform newly overtime eligible Postdoctoral Scholars of available resources related to time tracking.

Article 32 – Compensation

In response to the Union, the Employer changed their proposal from, Postdoctoral Scholars and Postdoctoral Scholar-Fellows may receive a salary/stipend increase on the anniversary date of their appointment during each year of the CBA, to Postdoctoral Scholars and Postdoctoral Scholar-Fellows would receive no less than a one percent (1%) salary/stipend increase on the anniversary date of their most recent appointment during 2025 and 2026. Any increase beyond one percent (1%), is at the discretion of the supervisor and is dependent upon available funding. An individual Postdoctoral Scholar who has received a retention increase in the past 12 months is not automatically entitled to an additional salary/stipend increase for 12 months from effective date of the last retention increase.

 

UAW Postdocs Counter Proposals

Article 4 – Appointments and Reappointments

In response to the Employer, the Union proposed to maintain their proposal that appointments and reappointments for Postdoctoral Scholar-Fellow and Postdoctoral Scholar-Paid Direct’s would be for a minimum duration equal to the duration of the fellowship or extramural funding. The parties are in agreement on the rest of the article.

MOU – Immigration Status and Visas

In response to the Employer, the Union proposed to remove, employment authorization document filing fees for dependents, from the list of visa related fees the Union proposes the Employer would reimburse. The parties are in agreement on the rest of the article.

 

Tentative Agreements

Article 24 – Time Off and Leave

New contract language was added that the time off service date is set as the first day of the Postdoctoral Scholars appointment. The definition of and use cases of sick time off were updated in accordance with the new SB 5793. A new section regarding Unpaid Parental Leave was added.

New MOU – Professional Development

A new MOU was added regarding professional development. Professional development activities for Postdoctoral Scholars will fall under the Office of Academic Personnel and Faculty. No later than July 1, 2025, the Employer will begin to develop and implement professional development activities which may include the following:

  1. A centralized website of professional development resources and services available to Postdoctoral Scholars.
  2. A twice-yearly newsletter with current and upcoming professional development opportunities for Postdoctoral Scholars.
  3. A program for the professional development of Postdoctoral Scholars, including but not limited to, career development programs and workshops, coaching by trained professionals, networking opportunities, and tools and resources.
  4. Best practices to strengthen mentorship for Postdoctoral Scholars, including a “Mentoring the mentor” workshop and a toolkit for mentors that may include best practices for mentorship (for example, how to navigate career options and develop/improve professional skills).

 

Next Steps

The next UW & UAW Postdocs bargaining session is scheduled for January 15, 2025 and will be held virtually.