October 19, 2022
10/17 Bargaining Recap
We spent Monday bargaining with UW Admin and made considerable movement to come closer on proposals around Corrective Action and Dismissal, Personnel Files, and Layoff and Time Reduction. We are negotiating for a fair and clearly outlined process because RSEs deserve transparency with regard to any administrative action that impacts their careers, as well as greater job security for positions that are supported by grant funds; we have been emphasizing the importance of these issues in our bargaining with UW Admin.
We also presented our proposal on Employment which outlines the employment offer process for RSEs. We still have not come to an agreement about the timeline and steps of a fair and efficient Grievance Procedure. You can read our full exchange of proposals at the Bargaining Center.
In addition, last week we proposed to meet in joint bargaining sessions with our Postdoc colleagues who are negotiating their successor contract around shared issues. Our solidarity and shared interests on these topics will help us accomplish stronger workplace protections and build stronger and safer communities, these include:
- anti-discrimination and harassment
- time off and leaves
- childcare
- career development
- wages
However, UW Admin objected to using bargaining sessions to address issues that impact both units.
Save the Date for the Next General Meeting
Mark your calendar! Our October General Meeting will be held **this** Thursday, October 20th at noon at the South Lake Union campus (Zoom hybrid option also available). We’ll be providing bargaining updates on all the proposals and counter proposals. Register here for more information and a zoom link.
UW Library and Press Staff Strike
Last week, UW Librarians and Press staff went on strike in response to UW’s stalling as they try to bargain for the respect and fair contract they deserve. Tricia Wu, RSE- 2, spoke at their rally and expressed solidarity on behalf of UAW 4121 and UW Researchers United. In her remarks, she also connected their challenges to a pattern of bad behavior by UW directed towards UW Researchers, too—namely, UW’s drawn-out and baseless legal challenges about whether some people should be included in our unit. As Tricia stated in no uncertain terms, “Let’s face it: delay and denial in response to unionization is not just an occasional event here. It is a policy decision by this University administration. President Cauce and the administration can either learn to bargain productively with its employees or learn to live with increased disruptions and a deserved reputation as a truly anti-union employer.” Watch Tricia’s remarks here.
In solidarity,
UWRU/UAW Bargaining Committee
Thaddeus Armstrong
Leila Blair
Nick Bolten
Jai Broome
Erin Carll
Shelly Carpenter
Bonnie Chang
Morgan Crotta
Iván Cruz
Abby Gambrill
Jay Mas Gilvydis
Anya Kalata
Julia Kobelt
Katherine Lasdin
Ellen MacLachlan
Cara Margherio
Katie Osterhage
Deborah Nemens
Van Redila
Annelise Smith
Galen Stewart
Kambiz Tavabi
Jacob Tietsort
Stacey Wedlake
Ryan Will
Tricia Wu
Joshua Yee