Labor Relations

SEIU 925 Libraries – UW Negotiations Recap for January 23, 2026

This recap details the eighth session for the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the University of Washington and SEIU 925 – Libraries.

Union Counter Proposals

The Union presented a package proposal in which all provisions would need to be accepted in their entirety. Package highlights are outlined below.

  • Article 23: Holidays – As part of this package proposal, the Union accepted the Employer’s proposal to retain the current contract language in this Article.
  • Article 24: Vacation Time Off – As part of this package proposal, the Union reasserted their previous counter proposal for this Article as presented during the December 16, 2025, bargaining session.
  • Article 27: Federal Family Medical Leave Act – As part of this package proposal, the Union accepted the Employer’s initial proposal for this Article as presented during the November 13, 2025, bargaining session.
  • Article 31: Civil/Jury Duty Time Off and Bereavement Time Off – The Union reasserted their previous language around family member definition, which refers to the family member definition in article 25.
  • Article 32: Leave Related to Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking – As part of this package proposal, the Union reasserted their previous counter proposal for this Article as presented during the December 16, 2025, bargaining session.
  • Article 38: Time Off Due to Family Care Emergencies – As part of this package proposal, the Union reasserted their previous counter proposal to remove the cap of using up to three (3) days of each type of time for personal emergencies.
Employer Counter Proposals

The Employer presented a package proposal in which all provisions would need to be accepted in their entirety. Package highlights are outlined below.

  • Article 1: Preamble – As part of this package proposal, the Employer reasserted their initial proposal for this Article as presented during the January 6, 2026, bargaining session.
  • Article 5: Grievance – As part of this package proposal, the Employer reasserted their proposal to maintain current contract language in this Article.
  • Article 6: Employee Rights – As part of this package proposal, the Employer reasserted their initial proposal for this Article as presented during the December 16, 2025, bargaining session.
  • Article 9: Probation for Professional Libraires and Press Employees – In response to the Union, the Employer proposed new language stating that supervisors will provide feedback whenever possible halfway through the six (6) month probationary period.
  • Article 14: Appointments – In response to the Union, the University proposed to include language stating that, when possible, the employer will make reasonable efforts to inform employees of extension of contract one (1) month in advance.
  • Article 47: Resignation Abandonment and Re-Employment – In response to the Union, the Employer proposed to include new language stating that if an employee hasn’t shown up for work, the Employer may attempt to contact by telephone or emergency contacts listed on Workday.
  • Article 50: Union Activities – The Employer accepted the Union’s proposal to include elected chapter officers, in release time for training.

Article 12: Professional Development – In response to the Union, the Employer included language that permits employees on furlough for up to sixty (60) days following a layoff, to access Professional and Organizational Development Programs. In addition, the Employer proposed including a link to the website for the Professional and Organizational Development Programs.

Article 35: Reasonable Accommodation of Employees with Disabilities – The Employer reasserted proposed language updating this article to be in line with UW policy and practice.

Article 39: Health and Safety – In response to the Union, the Employer proposed new language under which building-related issues, such as security, would be appropriate subjects for the Joint Union-Management Committee.

Article 42: Paid Professional Leave – In response to the Union, the Employer proposed language specifying that UW Libraries will set an internal deadline for applications and notify librarians of that deadline at least one (1) month in advance. The Employer rejected the Union’s proposed timeframe under which PPL would be granted for up to twelve (12) months, and maintained the current contract language of nine (9) months.

The Employer presented a package proposal in which all provisions would need to be accepted in their entirety. Package highlights are outlined below.

  • Article 2: Non-Discrimination – As part of this package proposal, the Employer reasserted their initial proposal for this Article as presented during the December 16, 2025, bargaining session.
  • Article 3: Workplace Behavior – The Employer accepted the Union language to add bullying is inappropriate workplace behavior. The Employer also proposed updating “Office for Academic Personnel and Faculty” to “Human Resources Office” and including an updated website link.
  • Article 4: Affirmative Action – As part of this package proposal, the Employer reasserted their initial proposal for this Article as presented during the December 16, 2025, bargaining session.
  • Article 7: Employee Facilities – As part of this package proposal, the Employer reasserted their counter proposal for this Article as presented during the January 6, 2025, bargaining session.
  • Article 13: Hiring – As part of this package proposal, the Employer reasserted their initial proposal for this Article as presented during the December 16, 2025, bargaining session.
  • Article 16: Intellectual Freedom – The Employer rejected the Union’s proposal to add new language defining Allocations, Reallocation, and Employee Representative, and reaffirmed its position to retain the current contract language in this Article.
Next Steps

The next SEIU 925-Libraries and UW bargaining session is scheduled for January 27, 2026, and will be held virtually.