Postdoc Bargaining Center

Upcoming Bargaining Sessions (all day unless specified otherwise): 4/25/23, 5/17/23 (via mediation).

Postdocs voted 96.3% Yes to Authorize a Strike Should Circumstances Warrant

Postdoc Bargaining At a Glance

What we’ve won so far

  • Postdoc Scholar minimum compensation increased to $65,508 (22% increase for lowest-paid Postdocs)
  • Childcare fund increased to $75,000 (67% increase)
  • H-1B visa option for international Postdocs
  • UW shall pay visa request and amendment fees for J-1 visa holders
  • UW reimburses J-1 SEVIS I-901 fee and the OPT I-765 filing fee.
  • Postdocs with disabilities shall have access to reasonable accommodations to do their job, with a clear, interactive process to work with the employer to obtain a reasonable accommodation. Clear accommodations for pregnant Postdocs are also described.
  • Expanded leave access (bereavement leave, jury/civil duty, leave for domestic violence and sexual assault, and military leave)
  • Improved collaboration with UW on professional development opportunities
  • Equity Survey for Postdocs
  • Improved reasonable accommodations process for Postdocs with disabilities
  • U-PASS benefit continues; Postdocs can request access shower facilities in UW-controlled buildings to support bike commutes.

What we’re fighting for

Union proposal UW Admin’s proposal

Wages:

2023:

  • PD-Scholars salary increased to $65,508 on Jan 1
  • PD-Fellows increased to $65,508 on March 1st, or reappointment date, whichever is first
  • PDRs raised to $58,000 upon reappointment anniversary date
  • 2% raise if paid above the min

2024:

  • Minimum pay for Postdoctoral Scholars and Fellows increased to $72,000 on Jan 1, 2024
  • PDRs raised to $65,000 upon reappointment anniversary date

2025: 

  • Bargaining commences fall 2024

OT Exempt Implications:

  • All Postdocs remain overtime exempt (no hours tracking) through lifetime of contract)

Wages:

2023:

  • PD-Scholars salary increased to $65,508 on Jan 1
  • PD-Fellows increased to $65,508 upon reappointment or July 1st, whichever is first.
  • Paid-direct PDs: minimum stays at $53,760.
  • 1% raise if paid above the minimum upon reappointment

2024 and 2025:

  • No increase in minimum pay
  • 1% raise upon reappointment for all PDs if no raise in last 12 months
  • Paid-direct PDs: new appointments and reappointments after July 1st 2024 are a minimum of $54,840.

OT Exempt Implications:

  • Nearly all PD-Scholars begin time tracking in 2024. 
Reimburse visa filing fees charged by USCIS for work authorization NO reimbursement of these visa fees

Reasonable Accommodations

PD’s may NOT be terminated due to disability

Reasonable Accommodations

PD’s CAN be terminated due to disability

Duration:

Contract expires on 12/31/24

Duration:

Contract expires on 1/31/26

 

Unfair Labor Practice Charge

You can read the Unfair Labor Practice Charge here filed on 2/14/23. PERC issued a response on 3/16/23. When PERC receives a response from UW, we will post it here.

Bargaining Proposals

Below you’ll find the full text of all bargaining proposals passed during negotiations. This page will be updated within 24 hours of each bargaining session. Please visit this page for summaries of each bargaining session.

Union Proposals

UW Proposals

Initial Bargaining Demands

Ground Rules

Ground Rules

Date Scheduling

Date Scheduling

Article 4: Appointments and Reappointments

Article 4: Appointments and Reappointments

Article 5: Childcare

 

Article 5: Childcare

 

Article 8: Health and Safety

 

Article 8: Health and Safety

Article 9: Healthcare Benefits Amounts

 

Article 9: Healthcare Benefits Amounts

Article 12: Intellectual Property and Academic Rights

Article 12: Intellectual Property and Academic Rights

Article 16: Non-Discrimination and Harassment

 

 

Article 16: Non-Discrimination and Harassment

 

Article 17: Orientation

 

Article 17: Orientation

Article 19: Professional Development and Career Counseling

Article 19: Professional Development and Career Counseling

Article 23: Time and Effort Commitment

Article 23: Time and Effort Commitment

Article 24: Time Off and Leaves

 

Article 24: Time Off and Leaves

 

Article 25: Titles and Classifications

 

Article 25: Titles and Classifications

 

Article 27: Transportation

 

Article 27: Transportation

 

Article 32: Wages

Article 32: Wages

Article 34: Duration

 

Article 34: Duration

 

MOU – Empowering Prevention & Inclusive Communities (EPIC)

 

 

MOU – Empowering Prevention & Inclusive Communities (EPIC)

 

MOU International Status and Visas

 

MOU International Status and Visas

 

MOU Postdoctoral Scholar Paid Direct

 

MOU Postdoctoral Scholar Paid Direct

 

MOU –  Postdoctoral Scholars and WMWA Overtime Eligibility and Exemption

 

 

MOU –  Postdoctoral Scholars and WMWA Overtime Eligibility and Exemption

 

New Article: Reasonable Accommodations

 

 

New Article: Reasonable Accommodations

 

 

New Article: Housing

New Article: Housing

New Article: Leave Related to Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking

 

New Article: Leave Related to Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking

 

New Article: Military Leave

 

New Article: Military Leave

 

New MOU: Overtime

 

New MOU: Overtime

 

Tentative Agreements

We have tentatively agreed to the following proposals. (Note that no article will be finalized in the new contract until after we reach tentative agreement on the entire contract and hold a unit-wide ratification vote.)