AFT Negotiations Recap for May 18, 2026
Background
This recap details the tenth in person bargaining session for the negotiation for the collective bargaining agreement between AFT and UW. Recaps are published online on the UW Labor Relations website.
Union Counter Proposals
The Union presented a package proposal in which all provisions would need to be accepted in their entirety. Package highlights are outlined below.
Article 2: Definitions
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to current contract language for this article.
Article 3: Union Security
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to the Union’s initial proposal as presented during the January 29th bargaining session.
Article 4: Union Rights
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to the Union’s counter proposal as presented during the May 14th bargaining session.
Article 9: Work Assignment Roster
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to the Employer’s counter proposal as presented during this bargaining session.
Article 16: Job Descriptions-Workload
As part of this package proposal, the Employer would agree to the Union’s counter proposal as presented during this bargaining session. The Union’s counter proposal included adding new language in which the maximum class size for IELP–Non-AEP classes would increase from eighteen (18) to twenty (20) students upon ratification. Additionally, the proposal states that both parties may discuss class sizes at Joint Labor Management meetings throughout the duration of the agreement.
Article 18: Professional Development
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to the Employer’s counter proposal as presented during the May 5th bargaining session.
Article 19: Performance Appraisal
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to the Employer’s counter proposal as presented during the March 19th bargaining session.
Article 21: Compensation
The Union is reasserting part of their counter proposal as presented during the May 14th bargaining session. As part of this package proposal, the Union proposed the following minimum base salary ranges for Extension Lecturers:
21.5 Initial Base Salary Determination Upon Hire
- $4,573.80 per month, for those with 1-10 years of experience.
- $4,701.40 per month, for those with 10-15 years of experience.
- $4,955.50 per month, for those with 15+ years of experience.
The Union proposed that Fellowship and Fulbright-type programs would not count towards the requirement to work a fifteen percent (15%) or more FTE per quarter in one (1) of four (4) quarters during the same annual review cycle.
Lastly, as part of this package proposal, the Employer would agree to new Union proposed language stating that upon ratification, all current employees would receive the minimum rate of pay based on their years of experience or would receive a pay increase of four percent (4%), whichever is greater.
Article 23: Successor Agreement
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to current contract language for this article.
Article 24: Duration
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to the Employer’s initial proposal as presented during the March 10th bargaining session.
MOU B: Work Assignment Roster
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to the Employer’s counter proposal as presented during this bargaining session.
Employer Counter Proposals
The Employer presented a package proposal in which all provisions would need to be accepted in their entirety. Package highlights are outlined below.
Article 2: Definitions
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to current contract language for this article.
Article 3: Union Security
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to the Union’s initial proposal as presented during the January 29th bargaining session.
Article 4: Union Rights
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to the Union’s counter proposal as presented during the May 14th bargaining session.
Article 9: Work Assignment Roster
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to the Employer’s counter proposal as presented during this bargaining session.
Article 16: Job Descriptions-Workload
As part of this package proposal, the Union would agree to the Employer’s counter proposal as presented during the March 19th bargaining session.
Article 18: Professional Development
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to the Employer’s counter proposal as presented during the May 5th bargaining session.
Article 19: Performance Appraisal
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to the Employer’s counter proposal as presented during the March 19th bargaining session.
Article 21: Compensation
The Employer is reasserting part of their counter proposal as presented during the May 14th bargaining session. As part of this package proposal, the Employer proposed new increases that would come into effect July 1, 2027:
- Substitute Teaching: $80 per hour
- Test Proctoring: $40 per hour
- Test Rating: $80 per hour
- ITA appeals sessions are paid in increments of 3, $80 for 1-3 appeals, $160 for 4-6 appeals, $240 for 7-9 appeals, etc.
- Lecture or Presentation on an IELP course:
- A lecture or presentation prepared in advance for one class period (or hour): $160
- A videotaped exam lecture prepared in advance: $160 per hour
- A lecture or presentation prepared in advance for half a class period (or 30 minutes): $80
- A non-prepared Q&A session for one class period (or hour): $80
- Non-curricular projects: $40 per hour
- ENGL 105 rater training/calibration: $80 per training cycle
As part of this package proposal, the Employer accepted Union proposed language from this bargaining session regarding the Fellowship and Fulbright-type programs.
21.5 Initial Base Salary Determination Upon Hire
- $4,532.22 per month, for those with 1-10 years of experience.
- $4,658.66 per month, for those with 10-15 years of experience.
- $4,910.45 per month, for those with 15+ years of experience.
Article 23: Successor Agreement
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to current contract language for this article.
Article 24: Duration
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to the Employer’s initial proposal as presented during the March 10th bargaining session.
MOU B: Work Assignment Roster
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to the Employer’s counter proposal as presented during this bargaining session. In this counter proposal, the Employer accepted the Union’s proposed strike through in which retirees would not be eligible for Advanced Extension Lecturer status.
New MOU: Lump Sum Payment
As part of this package proposal, the Employer proposed a new MOU stipulating that eligible employees would be issued lump-sum payments within 90 days of contract ratification. The lump sum payments would be calculated at $150 for each quarter taught over the past year.
New Side Letter: Class Size
As part of this package proposal, the Employer introduced a new side letter in which IELP Non-EAP class sizes would be on the Labor Management Committee agenda, allowing parties to discuss concerns regarding class size increases. This MOU would expire concurrently with the collective bargaining agreement.
Next Steps
The next UW & AFT bargaining session is scheduled for June 9, 2026, and will be held in person.