SEIU 1199NW – UW Negotiations Recap for April 30, 2025
Background
This recap details the seventh session for the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the University of Washington and the Service Employees International Union 1199NW (SEIU 1199NW). Recaps are published online on the UW Labor Relations website.
Tentative Agreements
The parties tentatively agreed to the following:
Article 19 – Job Posting & Transfer
The parties agreed to include language that would clarify which agreement would prevail when a probationary period employee was seeking to revert to their previously held position.
SEIU 1199NW Initial Proposals
New MOU – Regarding Patient Privacy
The Union proposed to include language that would ensure all patient exams and other clinical work would only occur in locations that allowed for privacy.
SEIU 1199NW Counter Proposals
Article 11 – Educational and Professional Development
In response to the Employer’s proposal, the Union proposed to modify the language so that any mandatory education/training above an employee’s FTE would be paid at one and half times their regular rate of pay.
UW Initial Proposals
Article 28 – Health Insurance and Pension
The Employer proposed updating this article to reflect the changes made at the state level bargaining table. This would include the new language regarding stand-alone vision plans, the increase from $250 to $300 for Employer funded Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and the salary change for employees who would qualify for FSAs.
Article 39 – Resignation
The Employer proposed including a new subsection, 39.2 Presumption of Resignation/Abandonment. In this new subsection, the Employer proposed that if an employee failed to appear for work and failed to report absence for three consecutive scheduled workdays, they would be deemed to have resigned. In this section, within 14 calendar days of mailing the separation notice, an employee could submit a written petition for reinstatement.
Article 49 – Salary Overpayment Recovery
The Employer proposed including language that would add clarity to the methods of payback in the cases of overpayment for active employees and separated employees. This language existed previously but was causing confusion.
Next Steps
The next SEIU 1199NW and UW bargaining session is scheduled for Friday, May 2, 2025, and will be held in person.