April 21, 2023
Bargaining Update
This week we met with UW Admin for our 26th and 27th bargaining sessions and UW is back to its old tricks, but first a recap of proposal exchanges.
- Admin did not agree to our proposal to begin sponsoring visas for international RSEs.
- Admin did not agree to include a representative list of behaviors from the School of Medicine Professional Code of Conduct that contribute to an unsafe working environment, stating that they thought it would encourage too many people to report instances of discrimination and harassment. We have consistently held that we are strongly interested in encouraging reporting so that we can proactively address toxic work environments such as bullying.
- Admin reasserted that they don’t want RSEs to participate in the EPIC training program (an evidence-based, peer-led, harassment prevention program). Like above, we see this as a critical, proactive measure for creating equitable and inclusive work environments.
UW did make slight progress toward our compensation proposal by:
- Increasing minimum salary for RSEs A, 1, and 2s by 2% (0% for RSE3 and 4s)
- Increasing the across-the-board raises for year 1 from 3% to 4%, while maintaining 2% for the following 2 years.
We made substantial movement toward them in our compensation counter proposal by adopting their pay structure and reducing our minimum salary increases to move closer to their proposals, while maintaining wage increases that fairly compensate RSEs of all job classes. Both sides making movement on these issues made us hopeful we would reach agreement soon.
However, yesterday afternoon, UW Admin said they would not have any articles to present until they were able to complete a cost estimate of our compensation proposal. They also informed us that they feel a mediator is needed in order to bridge the remaining gap between our two proposals.
While we are willing to work with a mediator, this will undoubtedly slow the clear progress that we made during the most recent bargaining session as it introduces a third party scheduling limitation. We are already at 9 months of negotiating and counting. We have been making substantial progress and progress hasn’t stalled. We instead proposed five bargaining dates over the upcoming week and were told that they are unavailable.
Additional delays will continue if we don’t raise our voices now. We need to make sure that they know their continued delays are unacceptable and that we need our Fair Contracts Now!
Fair Contracts NOW Rally
As you read above, UW will continue to delay unless we push back. Our Fair Contract Now Rally is this coming Monday, 4/24, 1pm, at Mary Gates Hall and we need everyone there.
Postdocs and RSEs are united in our need for livable wages, equitable workplaces, and holding UW accountable for the Unfair Labor Practices they have committed in bargaining with both units.
RSVP here to attend the Fair Contracts NOW rally!
In the words of several of our colleagues, here are a few reasons Research Scientists need a fair contract:
We’d like to hear how a fair contract would impact you! Please share here.
Upcoming Bargaining Sessions
We currently have one more bargaining session scheduled. We invite you to attend our next bargaining session, Wednesday April 26th. Caucus starts at 8am. Please RSVP here.
Stay Informed
Stay up to date with our latest news and actions by following our social media accounts: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and also, reach out if you have any questions.
Additionally, if you’d like to keep up with what’s happening more broadly than just our Research Scientist unit, check out the UAW 4121 email updates. Also we are part of UAW Region 6, which represents over 100,000 people across 9 states.
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