University

University of Washington Bargaining Survey Results

Members recently participated in an online survey about bargaining at the UW. Some of the questions and responses are highlighted here.

Bargaining Survey Responses:
1. The UW is currently facing an additional $20 million in cuts, and the state budget projection for 2011—2013 of another $2.5 billion deficit is just as dismal. This year we have the opportunity to help win a long-term revenue solution in the form of a high end income tax that would help stabilize funding for higher education. However, in the meantime, there are still cuts looming—cuts that may materialize in the form of layoffs and/or pay freezes. In order to minimize layoffs and save funding that keeps our workplace running at its best possible capacity, we need to decide whether our efforts are best spent by bargaining or dedicating ourselves to stabilizing funding for future contracts and highlighting the value of public services we provide as university employees. What do you think? Choose your highest priority.

71.5% We should extend our current state-funded contracts, work on minimizing layoffs, and focus our work on stabilizing revenue for the future.
5.8% We should bargain on issues having no or minimal economic impact.
6.8% We should bargain for wage increases even if it results in layoffs, higher health insurance costs, and other take-aways.
7.4% We should work on changing the collective bargaining law to allow us to bargain over local (UW) funds without state oversight.
8.4% I have another solution.

2. Extending contracts rather than bargaining protects us from possible economic take-aways. However, if members decide to bargain and risk take-aways, given the economic realities, which are your highest priorities? Choose up to 2 highest priorities.

17.7% Increase across the board wages.
25.2% Try for targeted wage changes, e.g., steps, market adjustments.
59.0% Minimize layoffs.
7.7% Work on non-monetary issues, e.g., stronger member input into policy or procedure changes.

70.6% Keep our health insurance costs stable

Health Care Survey Responses:
Q: Seventy-two percent (72%) of SEIU 925 members recently surveyed said that their highest priority for bargaining during the current economic recession is to keep healthcare costs affordable. Do you agree with this?

65.5% Agree
31.5% Mostly Agree
1.6% Disagree
1.4% Not sure

Hundreds of UW members shared smart ideas about what the PEBB could do to make our healthcare more affordable and avoid the kinds of increases in point of service costs we saw in January. If you have ideas and want to join others at the PEBB meeting in Olympia on the 23^rd, email dornie@seiu925.org. Healthcare bargaining begins in July.

Members Rights and Responsibilities in the Event of a UAW strike

As the graduate student employees represented by UAW 4121 are hit with proposed take-aways from the UW, they have authorized a strike vote. The elected leadership of SEIU Local 925 has passed a resolution of solidarity and support (click here to read the full resolution).

If the UAW makes the decision to strike, it is important for you to be familiar with our strike clause: Article 31 (in part) states: "Any action of an employee in refusing to cross, for his/her own personal safety, a picket line at the Employer’s premises in case of an officially declared strike by some other employee organization or union representing employees working for the Employer shall not constitute a violation of this clause of the Agreement, provided, however, that such a decision shall be made freely by the employee without coercion by either the Employer or the Union and provided further that nothing herein shall preclude the Employer from continuing to operate the University with or without temporary replacement personnel."

In short, the right of members of SEIU not to cross union picket lines at University of Wash

» Read more

Shared Leave

Hello, my name is Jennifer Warne and I am a Program Assistant in Commuter Services. I have been very ill for several months, had surgery in March, and have since been recovering. The surgery plugged a hole that had developed in my inner ear and severed my vestibular nerve (balance nerve). Unfortunately, I also lost what hearing I had left in that ear and am now deaf in that ear. I ran out of paid leave in January and have been without a paycheck since then. I was approved for shared leave and am desperate for as many donations as possible.

» Learn how to donate leave

Contest Logo

Hundreds of SEIU Local 925 members brought forward great ideas for improving the quality of University of Washington services for students, faculty, researchers, and patients. Kaylen Bennett, Tom Clevenger and Kathy Thomason were honored for the best ideas on September 26. They will share $1,000 in prize money--and our union's commitment to help implement their ideas.