Labor Relations

UW – SAG-AFTRA Negotiations Recap for November 19, 2025

Background

This recap details the third session for the negotiation of the third  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 42 – Classification and Reclassification
42.6 Position Review Appeal Process

The Union proposed adding language that when the Employer issues a written response to the employee regarding their position review, the Employer would also notify the Union.

New Article – Union Board Liaison

The Union proposed a new article wherein a bargaining unit member would act as the Board Content Labor Liaison to attend any Board, Executive, and/or Committee meeting where the Board was discussing any board action that could impact the SAG-AFTRA/KUOW bargaining unit or its members.

 

UW Initial Proposals

 

Article 20 – Leaves and Time Offs

The Employer proposed including updates to RCW 49.76, specifically to expand leave types to include victim of hate crime.

20.1 Bereavement Time Off

The Employer proposed aligning the definition of family member with the current, expanded, definition of family member in sick time off. Additionally, the Employer proposed expanding the bereavement days off from three to five days.

20.5.B Professional Leave with Pay

The Employer proposed to update an outdated form-link to the landing page for the updated form and as well as where the process is described in detail.

Article 30 – Layoff

The Employer proposed housekeeping edits.

30.3 Notice

The Employer also proposed  that the notice period related to a layoff would not apply to emergency layoffs due to acts of nature, financial emergencies, suspension of operations, or furloughs.

Article 33 – Postings

The Employer proposed to include language related to RCW 49.58.110 and pay transparency for positions at the University.

New MOU – Unit Clarification  

The Employer proposed a new MOU that would allow the parties to continue discussing their joint filing regarding the representation of temporary job profiles. This MOU would outline the affected job profiles and individuals currently in those positions.

 

Next Steps

The next UW and SAG-AFTRA bargaining session is scheduled for December 2, 2025, and will be held in person.