UW & UAW Postdocs Negotiations Recap for January 15, 2025
Background
This recap details the ninth 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 32 – Compensation
In response to the Union, the Employer changed their proposal from, 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, 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, 2026, and 2027. 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 32 – Compensation
In response to the Employer, the Union changed their proposal to:
Effective January 1, 2025, a minimum of $78,724 for all job titles.
The Union proposed that the minimum would increase by 9% on January 1 of each consecutive year of this agreement. The Union proposed that all Postdoctoral Scholars be raised to at least to the minimum salary rate level on January 1 of each year, or receive an increase of at least 2% on the anniversary date of each year of their appointment, whichever is greater.
The Union proposed when extramural agencies establish stipends at a rate less than the University established stipend/salary minimum, the University would provide a supplement such that the total stipend/salary is at least equal to the experience scale minimum in this article.
The Union proposed that Postdoctoral Scholar Fellows and Postdoctoral Paid Directs would receive a payment in the amount of 5% the total stipend/salary amount for each month period in the title of Postdoctoral Scholar Fellow and Postdoctoral Paid Direct. The stated intention of this payment is to support the Postdoctoral Scholar Fellow’s and Postdoctoral Paid Direct’s long-term financial planning.
MOU – Immigration Status and Visas
In response to the Employer, the Union proposed to put a cap of $1,000 per Postdoctoral Scholar, the Employer would reimburse, for the cost of insurance plans required to maintain visa status. The parties are in agreement on the rest of the article. The Union proposed to remove, H-1B/TN I-539 filing fee for dependents, from the list of visa related fees the Union proposes the Employer would reimburse.
Next Steps
The next UW & UAW Postdocs bargaining session is scheduled for January 22, 2025 and will be held virtually.