June 16, 2023
It’s time for Research Scientists/Engineers A-4 to vote on the tentative agreement to ratify our 2023 – 2026 contract! The wins in this tentative agreement are a direct outcome of our collective power demonstrated during the 9 days we were striking, through pickets, rallies, marches, singing, and more.
Highlights of this tentative agreement (TA) include:
- 33% increase to minimum pay over the life of the three year contract
- Across the board increases for everyone to keep up with costs of living and make up ground for lost wage increases (no less than 12.5% for people above the minimums)
- More transparent and enforceable career development provisions
- Unprecedented pathways for RSEs to become Principal Investigators (PI)
- Access for PI RSEs to bridge funding in the case that grant funding drops
- Stronger protections against arbitrary layoffs, the right to annual performance reviews
- Extended layoff notice from 30 to 45 days
- Contract becomes effective upon ratification (July) and expires June 2026
With these gains, the RSE Bargaining Committee is recommending a YES vote to ratify this contract. You can read a summary of each article in the TA or a pdf of the full TA.
The final decision on ratifying the contract lies with Research Scientists A-4. Please read below for additional details/considerations regarding the ratification process.
What does this ratification vote mean? In short, this vote enables RSEs A-4 to democratically make a collective final decision on the tentatively agreed upon contract. A simple majority of those voting determines the outcome of the vote. For the vote to be representative and powerful, it’s critical for a supermajority of RSEs A-4s to participate. In addition, a strong turnout on the ratification vote is directly linked to our collective power to enforce the contract & have a powerful foundation for winning an even stronger contract next time. Spread the word about the ratification vote!
What would it mean to vote to ratify this offer? If a majority of those voting accept the tentative agreement, the new contract would take effect upon the conclusion of the ratification vote and approval by the UW Board of Regents (since this is our first contract). Wage increases would go into effect on October 1. After ratification, RSEs will have the opportunity to officially join as Union members. A strong yes vote will show that a supermajority of Research Scientists & Engineers are invested and engaged in ratifying this contract now and enforcing it through 2026.
What would it mean to vote to reject this offer? If a majority of those voting reject the tentative agreement, this means the bargaining team would return to the table with UW Admin, the strike would resume, and none of the TAd articles go into effect (i.e., we cannot selectively approve some articles and reject others so we would bargain the entire contract).
What are the terms of the tentative agreement that we’re voting on? You can read more about the specific terms of the tentative agreement at the following links: PDF of the full Tentative Agreement or there is an article-by-article overview available on the UWRU Bargaining Center.
How long is the vote open? How will we be notified of the results? The vote will open the morning of Friday 6/16 and will run through Tuesday 6/20 at 5 PM Pacific Time. RSEs A-4 will be notified via email and on the website of the ratification vote results on the evening of 6/20.
Is the ratification vote anonymous?
The vote is conducted via digital secret ballot. Organizers will be able to see whether you have voted, but not how you have voted. UW will not have access to information about who has voted.
How can I get additional information?
We’ll be holding Ratification Info Sessions. Below is the schedule of upcoming sessions:
- Friday, 6/16: noon, 3pm
- Sunday 6/18: 10am
- Monday 6/19: 9am
- Tuesday 6/20: 9am, noon, 3pm
There is no need to pre-register, you can just show up to whichever one works well with your schedule. The same zoom link will work to attend any of these sessions. At each info session we’ll provide an overview of the articles in our contract and there will be a chance for Q/A.
How can I continue to be involved in building our power through the ratification vote (and beyond)?
Attend an ‘Organizing 101’ session! Missing your buddies at the picket already? Join for the ‘1-1 Organizing 101’ training session to stay engaged with our colleagues. WE are the Union and WE means ALL of us! A strong turnout on the ratification vote is directly linked to our power to enforce this contract, and set the foundation for the next one. We’ll talk about this (and more) in the training session, and the goal is to have a space for all of us as organizers (regardless of experience) to practice & have tools for connecting with our coworkers about the ratification vote as a way of building strong, lasting structures for staying connected and coordinated.
Times for the sessions facilitated by fellow RSEs & Postdocs are:
- Friday 6/16, 1pm – 2pm
- Monday 6/19, 10am – 11am
- Monday 6/19, 4pm – 5pm
Join an outreach & organizing session! More information about phone/textbanking and in-person organizing will be posted in the Slack.
If you have any questions, please reach out to contact@uwresearchersunited.
In solidarity,
UWRU/UAW Bargaining Committee
Thaddeus Armstrong
Nick Bolten
Jai Broome
Erin Carll
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
Jacob Tietsort
Stacey Wedlake
Ryan Will
Tricia Wu