August 11, 2022

Research Scientist A-4 union update

Following the vote in June to approve the petition to be represented by the UW Researchers United union (UWRU), the approximately 1,450 Research Scientist Engineer Assistants and RSEs 1-4 (RSE A-4s) were placed in a status of “dynamic status quo.”  Dynamic status quo is a legal measure to ensure that workers cannot be penalized or rewarded for forming a union and prohibits the employer from making any changes to employment terms they had not regularly made or approved prior to the petition being filed.

During this period of dynamic status quo UW HR has agreed to conditionally allow in-grade pay raises, promotions, FTE changes, and other salary adjustments (including retention payments) for RSE A-4s during the bargaining process.  However, RSEs A-4 will not be eligible for the 2022 merit increase.

UW HR and the UWRU will commence the bargaining process on August 15, 2022. More information about the RSE A-4 unionization effort is available on the UW Researchers United website.