{"id":11048,"date":"2026-05-20T11:08:32","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T18:08:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/labor\/?p=11048"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:13:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T18:13:12","slug":"wfse-pm-negotiations-recap-for-may-20-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/labor\/2026\/05\/20\/wfse-pm-negotiations-recap-for-may-20-2026","title":{"rendered":"WFSE-PM Negotiations Recap for May 20, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Background<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u00a0UW Labor Relations website.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Employer Initial Proposals<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Article 13: Leaves of Absence<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The Employer proposed housekeeping edits, including updating website links and changing the title of one of the article sections from \u201cLeave due to Child Care Emergencies\u201d to \u201cAbsence due to Family Care Emergencies.\u201d Additionally, the Employer proposed adding a definition for elder care emergency, and updating the suspended operations resource to reference the applicable University policy<\/p>\n

Article 25: Wages and Other Pay Provisions<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The Employer’s initial proposal is to move the \u201cWorking Out of Classification\u201d section, with minor housekeeping edits, from Article 9 to this Article to keep pay related issues together.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Employer Counter Proposals<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Article 7: Union Business Representatives<\/strong><\/h5>\n

In response to the Union, the Employer accepted minor housekeeping edits proposed by the Union. The Employer rejected the Union\u2019s 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\u2019s proposal to reduce the access window from ninety (90) days to thirty (30) days. Lastly, the Employer rejected the Union\u2019s proposal stating that the Employer would grant the Union sixty (60) minutes to meet with new bargaining unit members.<\/p>\n

Article 22: Grievance Procedure<\/strong><\/h5>\n

In response to the Union, the Employer incorporated the Union\u2019s proposed new section related to \u201cArbitration Costs\u201d using the same language already existing in the classified WFSE CBA about how arbitration costs will be shared between the parties.<\/p>\n

MOU: Transportation<\/strong><\/h5>\n

In response to the Union\u2019s Article 9 ORCA card proposal, the Employer proposed to add language to the parties\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Employer Responses<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The Employer rejected the following Union Initial Proposals, as presented during the <\/strong>May 4th<\/sup>\u00a0bargaining session<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n