January 24, 2023
Bargaining Update
Unfortunately, our overview of yesterday’s bargaining session remains largely similar to recent sessions. UW Admin still has not provided us with counter proposals on any of our economic articles. It is becoming clear that management will not make any meaningful movements in bargaining until they feel pressure from our unit. In order to end these stalling delays and win a fair contract, we are having a Mass Action Meeting jointly with Postdocs on 1/30/2023 at noon. We will be hammering out details and dividing up roles for our upcoming actions. Please RSVP so we can work together to build a broad movement to win a fair contract.
Up until recently, UW had only scheduled bargaining dates with us up to the end of January. We proposed 11 bargaining days for the month of February; they have scheduled four days with us.
We had exchanges over several different articles yesterday that do warrant highlighting:
- Performance Evaluations – From conversations with RSEs across the unit, we know that while some of us receive performance evaluations annually and our departments have clear processes delineated, other RSEs haven’t had a performance evaluation in years, and some RSEs work in departments in which each PI uses their own performance evaluation process. We had proposed a comprehensive performance review process that is standardized across all RSEs and transparent. UW Admin rejected this proposal and let us know they are not interested in listening to what RSEs are telling them is a problem of equity and they are planning to continue with the performance evaluation status quo.
- Layoff and Reduction in Time – We have had an extensive amount of back and forth with UW Admin related to how much advance notice of layoff should be provided. UW Admin feels 30 days notice is sufficient. We do not. We invite you to reply to this email and share how you/you and your family would be impacted if you were to receive a 30 day layoff notice today.
- Telework and Work Location – UW countered this proposal with language stating that if there is a change in work location, that they would provide “at least thirty (30) days’ notice whenever practicable.” We also don’t feel this is sufficient.
We reached tentative agreement on two articles:
- The Tuition Exemption Program article memorializes this important benefit for RSEs and ensures that we can continue accessing the program.
- Inclement Weather and Suspended Operations describes processes for RSEs to telework or use leave during suspended operations.
If you would like to attend an upcoming bargaining session, there is a half day next Tuesday, 1/31, and a full day on Thursday 2/2. RSVP here.
You can see all of the proposals we passed yesterday, along with previously passed proposals at our Bargaining Center.
UW Librarians are set to strike on January 25th
UW Librarians will strike January 25th (this Wednesday) if the university doesn’t come to an agreement with them. If they do strike, we strongly encourage you to support in whichever of the following ways you are able.
- In-person events:
- 1/25, noon to 1, there will be a rally in Red Square
- 1/26, noon to 1, there will be a rally in front of the UW Tower at the intersection of 45th and Brooklyn
- If you have the means, please consider supporting their strike fund or sharing the link.
- Talk about their strike with people in your lab and amplify their message among your networks (Libraries Union twitter, instagram)
- Email UW decision makers
Please share how you are planning to support the UW Libraries Union here (the hope/plan is to connect RSEs going to in-person events).
That is all for this week, but as always, in case you aren’t already a follower, a quick plug for our social media accounts; they are an easy way to stay in the loop: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and also, reach out if you have any questions.
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
Katie Osterhage
Deborah Nemens
Van Redila
Annelise Smith
Galen Stewart
Kambiz Tavabi
Jacob Tietsort
Stacey Wedlake
Ryan Will
Tricia Wu
Joshua Yee