Academy for Academic Personnel Administration
Fall 2003
Round Table Report
1. Institution Information
Name of Institution/System: University of Washington
Name of Individual Responding: Howard Pripas
Title of Individual Responding: Director of Labor Relations
2a. Description of Faculty Bargaining Unit(s) – Size and Composition
2200 -3700 graduate students employed as Teaching and Research Assistants at the University of Washington. Petition currently pending with Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC)
Bargaining Agent: Graduate Student Employee Action Coalition/International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agriculture Implement Workers of America (GSEAC/UAW) – not yet certified
Date of First Contract: N/A
Number of Succeeding Contracts: N/A
At the present time UW has multiple units of staff under collective agreements, but our faculty is not organized.
3. Activity Report (e.g., status of current agreement or negotiations, details of last contract settlement, etc.):
Negotiations have not commenced between the University and GSEAC/UAW.
Both parties are awaiting receipt of decision from PERC on several bargaining unit issues.
4. Special or noteworthy happenings (e.g., relevant arbitration or court decisions, organizing campaigns, labor agency decisions, etc.)
In March 02, GSEAC/UAW filed a petition with the Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC). The petition includes many dissertation RAs whom the University believed were excluded from coverage by the law. 18 separate days of hearing were conducted by PERC during June – November 02 to address and determine all jurisdictional issues in the case, including whether dissertation RAs should be excluded. In February 03, all transcripts and exhibits, briefs and reply briefs were filed by counsel for each party. PERC deliberations continue for this case, with a decision expected in the near future
5. Special happenings related to fiscal issues (e.g. salary reduction, health and dental insurance costs, reductions in force, early retirement programs, program consolidation or elimination, etc):
In April and May 2003, GSEAC/UAW requested that UW negotiate over pending changes in the Graduate Appointee Insurance Program. The University did not bargain as the Union had not been certified as per PERC procedure (at this time there is still no decision from PERC as to bargaining unit composition). The University did significantly raise its contribution to the program, making some minor changes to keep the cost to student the same as in the previous plan year.