December 16, 2022
Yesterday, hundreds of RSEs and Postdocs gathered in conference rooms and lecture halls across campus to rally together and join the bargaining session with UW Admin.
In the rally between morning and afternoon bargaining sessions, we discussed updates from Postdoc and RSE bargaining; UW’s bargaining delay tactics for both units; and the current uncertainty many RSEs are facing because of changes to their working conditions related to overtime status, which management initiated without bargaining. The point of unionizing is to have a voice in our working conditions. Like we shared last week, Admin’s move to change overtime eligibility status (and with it, other terms and conditions of employment) is not only impactful to us as individuals, it disregards our choice to collectively bargain these decisions. While Admin is now discussing this decision and its impacts with us, there are still several unanswered questions.
Once the bargaining session resumed with UW management, we presented a comprehensive proposal to address the overtime exempt status for affected RSEs. Their position, as of this morning, is to seek our agreement in allowing them to unilaterally make such changes. Dozens of RSEs stayed on after the rally to participate in the rest of bargaining, in which they observed firsthand the lack of preparation and urgency that management is consistently demonstrating in our contract negotiations. Yesterday was especially bad in that management didn’t have the appropriate personnel at the bargaining table. At multiple points, they stated that they were not able to answer our questions nor make movement on our proposals (that they have had for multiple weeks) because of absent team members. We specifically proposed to have an agenda for each bargaining session so that we could avoid these types of scenarios, however, UW management refused to have agendas for bargaining sessions. Please also keep in mind that we have had these bargaining sessions scheduled since August.
The RSEs who stayed for the rest of bargaining stated they were shocked to see the extent of the stalling tactics firsthand. If you’d like to see for yourself, our next day of bargaining is on 12/19/2022 from 2-4pm, caucus is at 1pm. Please RSVP here if you plan to attend. Alternatively, please join us for our next Bargaining Committee Meeting (zoom line for the meeting) on Tuesday, 12/20 at 6pm.
In addition to delay tactics, UW management also demonstrated their priorities in yesterday’s session. While they have not responded to our proposals on discrimination protections, wages, professional development, leaves and many others, they did provide initial proposals on “No Strikes/Lockouts,” “Resignation and Abandonment,” and “Salary Overpayment Recovery.” You can see all of the proposals we passed yesterday, along with previously passed proposals at our Bargaining Center.
So what does all of this mean? It means it’s time, folks. If we want to win a fair contract, we’re going to need to organize and mobilize to make sure management feels the pressure. Our action yesterday was a solid step but we will need to do more. Please RSVP to join us the first week of January to build out our escalation.
We wish you all a joyous and restful holiday season and look forward to returning in January re-energized and ready for action!
And 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