RFPU-NW and UW Labor Relations (UW) met for the tenth (virtual) bargaining session.
Articles discussed:
Article 13, Leave – Miscellaneous: In response to the employer’s proposal regarding paid parental leave, RFPU countered that the employer will provide paid parental time off to cover the first six weeks of each approved leave of absence taken – if an employee has less than fourteen days of combined available vacation and sick time off, at the end of the first six weeks of each approved leave of absence taken, the Employer will add the necessary days to the remaining balance so the the resident is left with seven days of sick leave and seven days of vacation for the remainder of the academic year.
Article 22, Salary/Stipend: UW proposed improving their most recent salary offer to a 3-2-1% salary increase over three years (up from their previous 3-1-1%), and increasing the housing stipend to $4,500/year (up from their previous proposal of $4,000/year). RFPU countered with a 7% increase each year in salary, in addition to reducing the housing stipend increase to 7% each year. RFPU also compromised by reducing the chief stipend proposal to $300/month.
Article 24, Transportation: RFPU compromised on proposing free parking 24/7, by instead proposing an expansion of the overnight parking to cover hours 4:00pm to 11:00am. RFPU also decreased the bicycle commuting proposal to only include that residents will have free access to bike cages at all sites, removing the bicycle stipend proposal.
Newly Proposed Article, Scheduling, Hours, and Patient Care: RFPU dropped the proposal recommending all schedules will be provided 120 days in advance, and that residents will not work more than ten days in a row. RFPU also reduced the proposal requiring the employer to pay residents $120/hour for every hour worked above 70 hours in a week, to $75/hour for every hour worked over 70 hours in a week.
Package Proposals:
- The employer offered a package proposal with Articles 4 (Disciplinary Action and Just Cause), 6 (Fringe Benefits), 10 (Leave – Bereavement), and 14 (Leave – Professional). RFPU did not accept this packet proposal.
- RFPU offered a package proposal with Articles 1 (Definitions), 3 (Childcare), 4 (Disciplinary Action and Just Cause), 6 (Fringe Benefits), 10 (Leave-Bereavement), 14 (Leave-Professional), 25 (Union Activities), and 26 (Duration). The employer did not accept.
Tentative Agreements Reached:
The proposals can be read in their entirety here, along with a short video summary from this session by RFPU-NW Lead Negotiator, Dr. Kevin Steehler.
Next (virtual) bargaining session: Wed, June 1st from 3:00-7:00pm. RFPU-NW encourages all of our co-residents to attend, including incoming residents and fellows – please RSVP here.
Resident & fellow physician union - northwest/CIR/SEIU 