Update: Deadline nears for union, UW administration

Editor’s note: The following is an update from the University administration regarding the TA union situation.

Since signing the extension of the Dec. 4, 2000 Memorandum of Agreement between the University and GSEAC/UAW, four meet-and-confer sessions between the union and the University have been held. At least seven more sessions are scheduled for late April and May. The extended Memorandum of Agreement expires May 28. The University has offered to extend the Memorandum beyond May 28, but to date GSEAC/UAW has not agreed to do so.

Both sides have presented numerous proposals. Thus far, each side has responded to approximately two thirds of the other’s proposals. Among the proposals the University has made is one which would provide, for the first time, unpaid medical and family leave for those teaching assistants with legitimate family or personal medical needs.

There has been agreement on several elements of the union’s health and safety proposal, which addresses workplace safety issues. The parties are close to an agreement on a permanent Joint Labor-Management Committee, which would deal with issues and problems not covered by formal grievance procedures.

Many important issues are unresolved. These include teaching assistant work hours, union rights, grievance procedures, and paid and unpaid leave. Proposals regarding salary and health benefit issues have not yet been presented.

GSEAC/UAW continues to advance its proposal that the University recognize it as the exclusive collective bargaining representative for all teaching assistants, even in the absence of collective bargaining legislation.

If the two sides are unable to resolve their differences by May 15, then the Agreement calls for the parties to request a mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to assist in working toward resolution of outstanding meet-and-confer issues.

The University remains committed to working with GSEAC/UAW to reach a fair and equitable resolution of these issues at the negotiating table.