UW & UAW Postdocs Negotiations Recap for December 21, and December 22, 2022
Background
This recap details the nineth and tenth session for the negotiation for the collective bargaining agreement between the UW and UAW Postdocs. Recaps are published online on the UW Labor Relations website.
Tentative Agreements
The parties tentatively agreed to the following:
Article 24- Time Off and Leaves
- This article details time off and the various types of leave. New sections were added to better define Civil Duty Time Off and leave related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. These new sections define what time off can be used and define the definition of family member as it relates to this leave.The Employer will provide reasonable safety accommodations when requested per APS 46.8 Domestic Violence in the Workplace and Reasonable Accommodations and Leave Related to Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking and per the law.
UW Initial Proposals
Article 8- Health and Safety
The Employer proposed to strike the section related to reasonable accommodations as there is a new proposed article dealing directly with Reasonable Accommodation of Employees with Disabilities.
UW Counter Proposals
Article 5- Childcare
In response to the Union, the Employer proposed to raise the yearly childcare Fund to from $50,000 to $60,000.
Article 16- Non-discrimination and Harassment
In response to the Union, the Employer made small edits to the proposed new section on equity survey.
Article 19 – Professional Development & Career Counseling
In response to the Union, the Employer added language that the two meetings to discuss issues related to professional development of Postdoctoral Scholars would be upon request.
MOU –Empowering Prevention and Inclusive Communities (Epic) Training
In response to the Union the Employer added language stating the Employer will encourage Postdoctoral Scholars to attend EPIC training.
New Article- Reasonable Accommodation of Employees with Disabilities
In response to the Union, the Employer proposed to create a new article related to Reasonable Accommodation of Employees with Disabilities. This new article better defines how to request a reasonable accommodation as well as use of leave.
UAW Counter Proposals
Article 5- Childcare
In response to the Employer, the Union lowered their proposal to raise the yearly childcare fund from $100,000 to $90,000.
Article 16- Non-discrimination and Harassment
The Union removed all instances of abusive conduct from their proposal, but kept all instances of inappropriate behavior. The Union proposed to keep their new proposed section which has examples of inappropriate behavior.
Article 19 – Professional Development & Career Counseling
In response to the Employer, the Union added a section stating the Union and the Employer would meet two times per calendar year to discuss issues related to professional development of Postdoctoral Scholars.
Article 27- Transportation
In response to the Employer the Union lowered their proposal for yearly bike purchase reimbursement from $360 to $250.
Next Steps
The next UW & UAW Postdocs bargaining session is scheduled for January 4, 2023, and will be held virtually.