UWHA and UW Labor Relations (LR) met for the tenth bargaining session on September 26th. LR supplied non-financial counter proposals on Articles 2, 5, and 13. UWHA brought forth seven counter proposals for Articles 1, 2, 3, 6, 21, and counter proposals for newly submitted articles on “Miscellaneous” topics and “Duration and owed wages.” This session came the day after roughly 500 residents participated in a Unity Break at 6 sites across Seattle (and one in Boise). Dr. Byron Joyner, vice Dean of GME joined for the first few minutes. This was the first negotiation session with UWHA he had attended.
Both UWHA and LR brought forth very similar counter proposals on Article 2 (Committee Memberships and Hospital Committee) and clarified that despite recent changes to the structure of the IRFAC committee, there would still be guaranteed resident representation. Article 5 included a conversation regarding UWHA seeking to expand union publicity to potential and incoming candidates for residency. As well as finding a solution for employees who are no longer part of the bargaining unit, but whom are still having dues deducted from their paychecks by UW. LR has agreed to have a meeting with UWHA separately to amend this issue.
Article 13 (Leave-Miscellaneous) was discussed in great length due to proposed changes that would limit benefits and protections for pregnant people. LR confirmed that newly legislated FMLA benefits in Washington state would not be extended to Idaho residents, causing a discrepancy of benefits between residents in different states. The proposed article limits accomodations for pregnant people – of which LR stated it was the responsibility of the individual to reach out to the disability office to amend. UWHA preference is for accommodations to be protected within the CBA to promote cultural change. Historically, residency has been very unsupportive of pregnant residents and fellows, and UWHA looks to change this through specific language in the CBA, to which Cindy Hamra, assistant Dean of GME agreed.
Counter proposals brought forth by UWHA for Articles 1, 3, 6, 21, and 26 included language changes – some of which were accepted language from LR’s last proposals; however, did not include decreases to any of the financial asks. In reference to Article 1 (Childcare), UWHA again brought forth the importance of being supportive of resident families, and the detriment that lack of subsidizing child care has on recruiting qualified and diverse candidates.
UWHA asked LR about their thoughts on the Unity Break. Banks Evans, director of Labor Relations said he only heard about it the next day. It was confirmed that Dr. Paul Ramsey did receive the petition signed by almost 800 residents in support of a fair contract however they had no further comment on the matter despite prompting.
The next bargaining session is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15th from 3:00-7:00pm at Roosevelt Commons West, Rm. 271. UWHA urges all members to attend.
Resident & fellow physician union - northwest/CIR/SEIU 