SEIU 925 Libraries – UW Negotiations Recap for November 13, 2025
This recap details the third session for the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the University of Washington and SEIU 925 – Libraries.
Union Initial Proposals
Article 7 – Employee Facilities: The Union proposed new language regarding gender segregated facilities, specifying that the Employer would provide privacy options, such as single-use gender-neutral restrooms or private changing areas whenever feasible. The Union also proposed establishing lactation stations across campus, clarifying that existing wellness rooms may serve as designated lactation spaces.
Article 24 – Vacation Time Off: The Union proposed to align the vacation accrual rate for librarians and professional libraries and press employees to the amount of twenty six (26) days of vacation time off per year. The Union also proposed that employees would be allowed to accrue and exceed a vacation time off balance of 288 hours, in the event that work prevents them from using their vacation time.
Article 25 – Sick Time Off: The Union proposed expanding the family member definition for sick time use to include chosen family and the circumstances under which sick time off may be used, including instances of personal emergencies as described in Article 38, and mental health counseling appointments.
Article 27 – Federal Family Medical Leave Act: The Union proposed defining a family member as defined in Article 25 – Sick Time Off.
Article 28 – Parental Leave: The Union proposed language recognizing the importance of parental leave and supporting employees. The Union proposes that employees should be allowed to choose if they want to use accrued leave before unpaid leave and that employees may request schedule or FTE adjustments. The Union also proposed that the Employer would notify the Union and bargain over any changes to parental leave policies that affect mandatory subjects, including updates from the Washington Family Medical Leave Program.
Article 29 – Shared Leave: The Union proposed to expand the circumstances under which shared leave may be used, including instances of hate crimes or immigration proceedings.
Article 32 – Leave Related to Domestic Violence Sexual Assault or Stalking: The Union proposed to expand the circumstances in which an Employee is qualified to utilize domestic violence leave, such as legal proceedings, medical assistance, use of social service programs, safety plannings, or relocation. The Union also included language regarding confidentiality related to employee disclosed information.
Article 37 – Inclement Weather and Suspended Operations: The Union proposed new language that would designate employee primary work locations as their home if building closures are in effect, and that employees would be compensated for travel between their primary work location and campus if on-site work is required.
Article 41 – Transportation Travel and Commute Reduction: The Union proposed to remove the provision stating that the University may change its transportation policy at any time without the obligation to bargain the change with the Union. The Union also proposed adding new language which allows employees to use flexible work arrangements for the purpose of commute reduction, provided that job duties are fulfilled, and such arrangements are approved by a supervisor.
Employer Initial Proposals
Article 24 – Vacation Time Off: The Employer proposed to increase the maximum amount of vacation balance for the Professional Libraries and Press employees from two hundred and forty (240) hours to two hundred and eighty (280) hours.
Article 25 – Sick Time Off: The Employer proposed expanding the circumstances under which sick time off may be used, including instances of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other hate crimes, as well as during furlough for the purpose of maintaining benefits if the employee has exhausted all other paid time off balances. Additionally, the Employer proposed clarifying that, in accordance with RCW 41.04.340, employees may choose to receive monetary compensation for accrued sick time off.
Article 26 – Washington Paid Family Medical Leave Program: Housekeeping edits were made to this article only. Article 26 details that both the Union and the Employer recognize the Washington State Family and Medical Leave Program (RCW 50A).
Article 28 – Parental Leave: The Employer proposed clarifying that leave beyond the period covered by Paid Family Medical Leave, in addition to FMLA, may only be denied due to operation necessity , in compliance with Washington State Law.
Article 29 – Shared Leave: The Employer proposed to expand the circumstances under which shared leave may be used, including instances of hate crimes.
Article 31 – Civil Jury Duty Time Off and Bereavement Time Off: The Employer proposed to rename this Article “Civil Duty Time Off and Bereavement Time Off”. The Employer also proposed to increase the number of days of bereavement time off from three (3) to five (5) days off. The Employer also proposed to expand the definition of family member to include those who regularly reside in an employee’s home or where their relationship creates an expectation that the employee care for that person
Article 32 – Leave Related to Domestic Violence Sexual Assault or Stalking: The Employer proposed to rename this Article “Time Off for Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking or Hate Crime”. The Employer also proposed that time off under this policy could be taken as sick time off, vacation, personal holiday, holiday credit time off, discretionary time off and unpaid time off.
Article 33 – Military Leave: The Employer proposed to rename this Article” to “Military Duty Time Off and Military Leave”. Housekeeping edits were also made to this article.
Article 35 – Reasonable Accommodation of Employees with Disabilities: The Employer proposed to include language to match UW policy that pregnant or lactating employees are eligible for reasonable accommodations. Such reasonable accommodations related to lactation would include, providing reasonable break times, providing lactation spaces, and/or accommodations related to nursing during work hours
The Employer proposed housekeeping edits only on the following provisions:
- Article 27 – Federal Family Medical Leave Act
- Article 36 – Miscellaneous Leave
Next Steps
The next SEIU 925-Libraries and UW bargaining session is scheduled for December 2, 2025, and will be held in person.