UPDATE ON THE MARCH 25 and 26 BARGAINING SESSIONS

After a day of discussions with the mediator on March 25th, and a useful meeting across the table to discuss three language issues on the 26th, the union presented a response to the university's March 12 package proposal, without movement on compensation.  The university team responded with a comprehensive counterproposal in mid-afternoon. The University team expressed willingness to continue work into the evening in attempt to narrow the differences. The UFWW team indicated that it needed to consult with more members of the team before proceeding and would attempt to provide a counterproposal in the week of April 7.  Two days of mediation are scheduled on April 15 and 16.  We are hopeful that agreement can be reached by the end of those sessions.

March 27, 2008

Update from the University Bargaining Team

Over the past year the University’s bargaining team and the United Faculty of Western Washington bargaining team have been engaged in respectful and fruitful negotiations. Members of both teams have cooperated in reaching agreement on many issues, and we are still engaged in discussion regarding the remaining issues. 

After 29 bargaining sessions, at the end of the negotiating session on January 17-18, both teams agreed to invite a mediator appointed by the Public Employees Relations Commission to insure optimum communication as we jointly work through the final stages of negotiation. We are committed to working with the UFWW and we are confident that an agreement will be achieved.  Six days of mediation sessions with the mediator have been held, and two more days are scheduled for April 15, 16. (Description of the contract mediation process.) The February 14 session was cancelled due to the mediator's illness.

 At the close of the session on March 26,the University and UFWW have reached tentative agreement on a number of significant issues including:

• Tenure and Promotion
• Faculty Files
• Department Chairs
• Academic Program Directors
• Retirement
• Reduction in Force
• Discrimination
• Workplace Violence
• Management Rights
• Intellectual Property
• Professional Conduct

In addition, we have exchanged proposals and numerous counterproposals on other subjects and are continuing discussion to reach agreements in other areas, including:

• Compensation
• Grievances and Disciplinary Process
• Leaves
• Non-tenure track faculty
• Workload
• Role of the Faculty Senate

The bargaining team will provide updates as progress is made.

Note:  the lists are not all inclusive