Background
Beginning in Fall of 2023, representatives from the George Washington University (“GW”) and the Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU (the “Union”) began working together to establish a collective bargaining agreement (“CBA”), which will govern the relationship between GW and all full-time and regular part-time house staff residents, chief residents, and fellows employed by GW.
At the outset of negotiations, GW agreed to the cadence and format of negotiations proposed by the Union – two times per month and virtually. Since October, the parties have mostly met in accordance with the parties’ agreement as schedules have mutually allowed. The parties have also mutually agreed to a few in person meetings.
Bargaining Update
To date, the parties’ bargaining sessions have been productive and effective. The parties have reached tentative agreement on twenty-four separate articles, as outlined further below.
Negotiation Progress
The parties first exchanged proposals on “non-economic” issues, quickly reaching tentative agreement on the following:
- Agreement & Recognition (November 2023)
- Severability (November 2023)
- Employee List and Orientation (January 2024)
- Release Time (February 2024)
- Resident Lounges and Call Rooms (March 2024)
- Inclusivity and Non-Discrimination (March 2024)
- Labor Management Committee (March 2024)
- Lactation Rooms (March 2024)
- Employee Health, Safety, and Security (April 2024)
- Union Access (April 2024)
- Management and Academic Rights (April 2024)
- Grievance Procedure (April 2024)
- Arbitration Procedure (April 2024)
- Moonlighting (April 2024)
- No Strike, No Lockout (April 2024)
- Union Payroll Deductions (April 2024)
- Childcare (June 2024)
- Program Closure (June 2024)
On March 26, 2024 – during the parties’ eighth bargaining session – the Union provided its initial economic proposals to GW, with the disclaimer that the Union recognized GW would need time to evaluate and cost out the proposals in order to respond appropriately. The Union’s initial economic proposal consisted of nineteen pages of proposals for GW’s consideration. Most recently, the parties met on September 19, 2024 and continued to exchange economic proposals. To date, the parties have reached tentative agreement on six economic proposals:
- Liability/Malpractice Insurance (June 2024)
- Resident Wellbeing (July 2024)
- License Reimbursement & Training (July 2024)
- Holidays (September 2024)
- Uniforms (September 2024)
- Educational Allowance (September 2024)
Upcoming Dates
The parties have scheduled additional bargaining sessions in September and October to resolve the remaining open items. GW continues to review and consider the Union’s proposals, and has responded on wages, leave, and benefits.