Today was our third joint bargaining session with the University, where they continued to use fearmongering about the Trump administration to make vague justifications for trying to cut anti-discrimination protections based on medical condition, ethnic origin, political affiliation and union membership. In the past year, researchers and scientists have banded together to win protections for federal research funding in court and in the Capitol. Meanwhile, institutions that preemptively capitulated to Trump’s threats, like Columbia University, are still under threat anyway!
EQUITY IS NOT OPTIONAL! That’s why we’re rallying on June 25, 2026 at 1pm in Montlake Triangle — to demand a strong contract that ensures equity, inclusion, safety, and livability for all at UW — and to let the University know it’s time to throw out their fearmongering and to put UW workers first, because we make UW run! RSVP for the rally now! Additionally, if you can join fellow members to help with planning or phone banking for the rally, just reply to this email!
The second half of the day was dedicated to Research Staff bargaining only, and we passed along our remaining article proposals as well as a couple of counters. You can find a recap in the table below.
| Article | UW Proposal Counter | Our Proposal |
| Reasonable Accommodations (joint) | No substantive changes from last proposal, still didn’t agree to explaining denied accommodation requests | We centralized language to match what is on several different Disability Service Office websites, so members can easily understand the process
Also include language that UW provide written notice when accommodations are denied |
| Health and Safety (joint) | Agreed to non-retaliation for reporting health and safety concerns | Reasserted protections for:
|
| Non-Discrimination and Harassment (joint) | Continued to deny protections from harassment and discrimination based on:
Reasserted the right to create a Workplace Behavior policy that they said was not written, no plans or timeline to write it Added back language they originally removed around around following UW Workplace Violence policy |
Reasserted protections from harassment and discrimination for:
Reasserted language to protect against:
Maintain our desire to have an equity survey to better understand the needs and issues that our members are facing |
| Time and Leave (RS only) | None proposed today |
|
| Classification and Reclassification (RS only) | None proposed today | Reasserted proposal for clear deadlines on position review process: 5 work days for departmental HR to submit paperwork to central HR, 60 calendar days for a written decision to both employee and supervisor. Members have waited 4+ months under the current process.
Proposed standardized forms so members know exactly what to submit. |
| Retaining Institutional Knowledge (RS only) | No initial proposal from UW yet | Current contract language, reiterated the importance of taking this program off hiatus |
| Recognition (RS only) | Current contract language | Current contract language |
The more members we have, the stronger contract UW workers will win! Sign up and become a member today:
You can also stay up to date in the bargaining portals for Postdocs and Research Staff. And if you’re interested in attending a bargaining meeting, all members are encouraged to participate! Reach out to your bargaining team at at bargaining-RS@uaw4121.org.
In solidarity,
Your Bargaining Team
Gabriel Beuchat
Iván Cruz
Tess Grover
KeliAnne Hara-Hubbard
Evan Howard
Jessamy Johnson
Lucas O’Bryan
N. Shane Patrick
Gracy Shaw