Labor Relations

UW & SAG-AFTRA Negotiations Recap for October 15, 2025

Background

This recap details the first session for the negotiation of the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Washington (UW) and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) for KUOW. Recaps are published online on the UW Labor Relations website.

 

SAG-AFTRA – Initial Proposals

Article 7: Union Security

The Union proposed language that in the event Union security clauses and fair share dues assessments become legal, the parties would agree to immediately bargain changes.

 

Article 20: Leave and Time Offs

The Union’s proposed to increase the number of bereavement days from 3 to 5 days. The Union proposed language that if the Employer implements a new category of time off or modifies policy regarding use of an existing type of time off for professional staff at KUOW, that is more generous than the terms within this agreement, the Employer would accordingly provide the increased benefit to bargaining unit employees.

 

Article 35: Union Representatives and Stewards

The Union proposed language that time spent in bargaining would be considered as time worked for up to three approved members. This would include the hour before and after the bargaining proceedings.

 

Article 39: Compensation

The Union’s proposed the following:

  • Effective February 1, 2026 the minimum annual salaries in Appendix I would be increased by 5%
  • Effective January 1, 2027 the minimum annual salaries in Appendix I would be increased by increase of 5%
  • Effective January 1, 2028 the minimum annual salaries in Appendix I would be increased by increase of 5%

 

  • Effective February 1, 2026 an across-the-board increase to all members of the bargaining unit of 7%
  • Effective January 1, 2027 an across-the-board increase to all members of the bargaining unit of 7%
  • Effective January 1, 2028 an across-the-board increase to all members of the bargaining unit of 7%

 

The Union proposed language that employees who receive a TPI (Temporary Pay Increase) would receive the greater of at least 5% over their current salary or the pay differential for the covered position. Additionally, the Union is proposing that the TPI duration threshold would lower from an employee who for ten (10) or more consecutive working days is temporarily assigned additional duties by management at the same level or who is assigned additional higher-level responsibilities by management will receive a temporary pay increase to TPI’s triggering after one day of being temporarily assigned additional duties by management.


Appendix 1

The Union proposed to update Appendix I to align with the increases the Union proposed in Article 39.

The Union proposed new job profiles: Reporter 3 and a Podcast Host. The Union proposed to increase minimums of the existing Newscaster/Reporter job profile to match the minimums of the other host job profiles like Show Host and News Host.

 

Article 40: Duration

The Union proposed a three year contract with a contract expiration of January 31, 2029. The Union proposed that either party may request negotiation of a successor Agreement by notifying the other party in writing no sooner than one hundred and eighty (180) prior to the expiration of the collective agreement.

 

NEW – MOU: Proposal

The Union proposes that any and all memorandums of understanding, or other side agreements reached, between the parties during the duration of the 2022-2025 CBA would be incorporated into the successor agreement.

 

UW – Initial Proposals

Article 21: Holidays

The Employer proposed to raise the reference that holiday credit must be used before vacation time off unless doing so would cause the employee to exceed two hundred forty hours to two hundred eighty hours.

 

Article 22: Vacation Time Off

The Employer proposed language that while employees are encouraged to keep vacation time-off balances below two hundred eighty (280) hours, they would be allowed to carry larger balances when work obligations prevent them from using vacation time. Any employee who has been employed for at least six (6) continuous months, who either resigns or retires, is laid-off or is terminated by the University would be entitled to accrued vacation pay up to two hundred eighty (280) hours.

 

Article 35: Union Reps and Stewards

The Employer proposed that a Joint Labor/Management committee would consist of at least two (2) members of the bargaining unit, a Union staff representative, two (2) representatives of management, one (1) representative of human resources, and the Assistant Vice President of Labor Relations or their designee.

 

Article 43: Overpayment Recovery

The Employer proposed language that the check method of salary overpayment recovery can only be used for separated employees.

 

SAG-AFTRA – Counter Proposals

Article 22 Vacation Time Off

In response to the Employer, the Union proposed that in regards to vacation leave cashout, if the Employer policy becomes more generous than the rights granted herein, then the same would automatically apply to bargaining unit employees.

 

Tentative Agreements

The parties agreed to housekeeping edits on the following articles:

Article 4 Prayer and Lactation Accommodations

Article 16 Bona Fide Independent Contracts

 

Next Steps

The next UW & SAG-AFTRA bargaining session is scheduled for November, 4 2025, and will be held in person.