April 25, 2022
End the Delays: Vote Yes!
Preparations are underway for our Vote Yes campaign to certify our bargaining unit so that we can begin negotiations with UW administration. Last week, dozens of Researchers met and strategized about a turnout plan to ensure that (1) All RSE A-4s had complete information about unionizing to make an informed decision, and (2) a strong majority of RSEs would turn out to vote Yes. You will be hearing from colleagues in the coming weeks about the importance of this vote and why your participation is critical. If you are ready to vote Yes on the first day of election, fill out this form to pledge your support: https://form.jotform.com/uaw4121/uwru-vote-turnout.
UW Challenges (make a claim now, provide evidence…never?)
We have had a few additional meetings with UW Administration and PERC as we continue to plod through the review of the University’s challenges to inclusion of members of the bargaining unit [see our previous update about this]. The total number of challenges is currently about 230 – a slight drop from the initial number, which reflects both challenges removed and new challenges added since February, 2022. UW Admin is communicating that they might be able to remove more challenges but are receiving slow feedback from Departments and PIs about challenged individuals’ job duties and responsibilities. While slow communication is undoubtedly a problem, it also reveals that the Administration’s approach has been an exercise in reverse-engineering: UW claimed that hundreds of people should be excluded from the unit as managers or supervisors, then have tried (unsuccessfully) to gather evidence to support these challenges.
In addition to getting ready to vote Yes, you can help by:
- Filling out an attestation about your duties if you have not already done so: https://form.jotform.com/220486354085054
- Contact your department chair and ask them to urge UW Labor Relations to withdraw challenges and move the process forward (feel free to contact us to find out if you are still challenged or for suggestions about talking points).
We are certain we will succeed through our collective efforts! Thank you for your continued support and involvement.
In solidarity,
Jai Broome
Iván Cruz
Kellie Dunn
Abby Gambrill
Julia Kobelt
Cara Margherio
Meredith Rawls
Tricia Wu