Last updated: October 15, 2026
This recap details the third mediation, fifteenth overall session for the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the University of Washington and UAW Postdoctoral Scholars.
Employer Counter Proposals
The Employer presented a package proposal in which all provisions would need to be accepted in their entirety. The full contents of the package are outlined below:
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Article 19: Professional Development and Career Counseling
As part of this package proposal, the Union would agree to the Employer’s prior counter proposal for this Article as presented during August 31 bargaining session.
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MOU: Professional Development
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to strike and remove this MOU.
The Employer presented a package proposal in which all provisions would need to be accepted in their entirety. The full contents of the package are outlined below:
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Article 16: Non-Discrimination and Harassment
The Employer proposed additional new language stating that employees may report discrimination or harassment based on ethnic origin, political affiliation, medical condition or membership or non-membership in a union to their manager, unit HR administrator, or UW Human Resources.
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MOU: Transition Support
As part of this package proposal, the Union would agree to withdraw their proposal to create this new MOU.
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New Side Letter – Name Change
The Employer proposed to create a new side letter that would provide guidance to employees on how to change how their name appears in Workday and the UW Directory, and how to replace their Husky Card.
The Employer presented a package proposal in which all provisions would need to be accepted in their entirety. The full contents of the package are outlined below:
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MOU: Immigration and Visas
In response to the Union’s proposed language around timeliness in submissions of visa paperwork, the Employer proposed additional new language that the International Scholars Operations (ISO) would send annual reminders on best practices for timely processing visa extensions, including recommended lead time.
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New Side Letter: Immigration Support
As part of this package proposal, the Union would agree to withdraw their proposal to create this new side letter.
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New MOU: J-1 Visa Duration
The Employer rejected the Union’s proposed edits and proposed to have this MOU expire on the same date as the whole CBA’s expiration.
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Article 14: Layoff
As part of this package proposal, the Union would agree to the Employer’s prior counter proposal for this Article as presented during August 17 bargaining session.
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Article 4: Appointments and Reappointments
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to maintain current contract language in this Article.
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Article 1: Purpose and Intent
As part of this package proposal, the Union would agree to the Employer’s prior counter proposal for this Article as presented during August 10 bargaining session.
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Article 12: Intellectual Property and Academic Rights
As part of this package proposal, the parties would agree to maintain current contract language in this Article.
Next Steps
The next UAW Postdoc and UW bargaining session is scheduled for October 30 will be held virtually.