UW – UWHA Negotiations Recap for March 3, 2020
Background
This recap details the twenty-fifth session for the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement between the UW and UWHA. This was the sixth session facilitated by a State-appointed mediator. Recaps are published online on the UW Labor Relations website.
Employer Package Proposal
The Employer presented a third package proposal in which all provisions would need to be accepted in their entirety. Package highlights included:
General Wage Increases – The Employer proposed to increase wages across-the-board by 2% sixty days after contract ratification, with an additional increase of 2% on July 1, 2020 and 2% on July 1, 2021.
Ratification Lump Sum – The Employer proposed a ratification lump sum of $200 to be paid one-time to each resident within sixty days after contract ratification.
Vacation Accrual – In response to the Union’s proposal, the Employer proposed to increase the amount of paid vacation to 24 days (18 weekdays and 6 weekend days) beginning July 1, 2020, and an increase to 28 days (20 weekdays and 8 weekend days) beginning July 1, 2021.
Vacation Usage – In response to the Union’s proposal, the Employer proposed that on or around January 1, 2021, the Employer would send a one-time email communication to all programs containing vacation leave balances for UWHA members.
UPASS – The Employer maintains their proposal that as of July 1, 2020 residents would be provided with a fully-subsidized U-PASS. The Employer proposed this benefit in lieu of all of the current contract language regarding bicycle benefits, which would continue through June 30, 2020.
Meals – In response to the Union’s proposal, the Employer proposed to increase the meal reimbursements to $9.50 per meal beginning July 1, 2020 and $10 per meal beginning July 1, 2021.
Home Call Stipend – The Employer proposed to increase the home call stipend to $2,300 beginning July 1, 2020 and $2,400 beginning July 1, 2021 (this includes $650 that has been moved from the travel allowance).
Professional Development and Licensing – The Employer maintained its proposal that would allow training programs to determine whether they issue professional development and licensing payments as reimbursements or stipends. If professional development funds were issued as a reimbursement it would be in the amount of $350 per academic year, and if the funds were issues as a stipend it would be in the amount of $375 per academic year, to account for any taxation differences.
Next Steps
The next UW and UWHA bargaining session is scheduled for March 11.