WFSE-PM Negotiations Recap for May 20, 2026

Background

This recap details the second virtual session for the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the WFSE-PM and University of Washington. Recaps are published online on the UW Labor Relations website.

Employer Initial Proposals

Article 13: Leaves of Absence

The Employer proposed housekeeping edits, including updating website links and changing the title of one of the article sections from “Leave due to Child Care Emergencies” to “Absence due to Family Care Emergencies.” Additionally, the Employer proposed adding a definition for elder care emergency, and updating the suspended operations resource to reference the applicable University policy

Article 25: Wages and Other Pay Provisions

The Employer’s initial proposal is to move the “Working Out of Classification” section, with minor housekeeping edits, from Article 9 to this Article to keep pay related issues together.

Employer Counter Proposals

Article 7: Union Business Representatives

In response to the Union, the Employer accepted minor housekeeping edits proposed by the Union. The Employer rejected the Union’s proposal to double the allotted time for Union presentations during new employee orientations from thirty (30) to sixty (60) minutes. Additionally, the Employer rejected the Union’s proposal to reduce the access window from ninety (90) days to thirty (30) days. Lastly, the Employer rejected the Union’s proposal stating that the Employer would grant the Union sixty (60) minutes to meet with new bargaining unit members.

Article 22: Grievance Procedure

In response to the Union, the Employer incorporated the Union’s proposed new section related to “Arbitration Costs” using the same language already existing in the classified WFSE CBA about how arbitration costs will be shared between the parties.

MOU: Transportation

In response to the Union’s Article 9 ORCA card proposal, the Employer proposed to add language to the parties’ existing MOU on Transportation that says employees in the bargaining unit will not be charged a fee for a U-PASS, to be used in accordance with University Policy.

Employer Responses

The Employer rejected the following Union Initial Proposals, as presented during the May 4^th bargaining session:

Article 8: Union Business Activities-Leave

The Employer rejected the Union’s proposal to reduce the request notice period for attending Union activities from two (2) weeks to seven (7) days. Additionally, the Employer rejected the Union’s proposed “Collective Bargaining Agreement Training” section, in which the Union would provide a joint training session for managers, supervisors, and Union representatives on day-to-day contract administration. Lastly, the Employer rejected the Union’s proposal to grant employees thirty (30) minutes of paid release time once per contract term for communication with Union representatives.

Article 9: Employee Rights

The Employer rejected the Union’s proposal to include the following new sections titled “Strike Clause” and “Artificial Intelligence (AI)”.

Article 11: Sick and Bereavement Time Off

The Employer rejected the Union’s proposal to add a new section titled “Vaccination Leave”, which would grant employees paid leave to travel for and receive vaccinations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA).

Article 13: Leaves of Absence

The Employer rejected the Union’s proposal to add a new section titled “Wildfire and Other Natural Disaster Leave”, in which, if a state of emergency is declared within Washington State, the Employer could grant up to twenty-four (24) hours of paid leave to impacted bargaining unit members.

Article 17: Seniority and Layoff

The Employer rejected the Union’s proposal to add language regarding temporary reduction of work hours, and resources related to layoffs and FTE reductions.

Next Steps

The next UW & WFSE-PM bargaining session is scheduled for May 27, 2026, and will be held virtually.

Labor Relations