Dear Western faculty,

As we head into Fall Quarter, we wanted to inform you that the United Faculty of Western Washington and Western Washington University have signed a Covid-related Memorandum of Understanding for AY 2022-2023.

Both the UFWW and the administration agree that so long as SARS-COV2 transmission and its social effects impact faculty health, safety, workload, or evaluation, such agreements may continue to be necessary. In other areas, we share the goal of ensuring that the University operates, as much as practicable, under its regular procedures. 

Here are a few details from the agreement:

Covid protections remain in place for vulnerable faculty. Most importantly, faculty who need to teach hybrid or online for reasons of their health, that of members of their household, or others with whom they are in close contact, will continue to be able to make requests to HR. Faculty with other Covid-related reasons for needing to teach online or hybrid may also apply to HR. These requests should be made as soon as possible, no later than September 16. 

Course modality is generally the province of faculty governance, not collective bargaining. As a result, except for Covid-related circumstances that result in faculty members being approved for online or hybrid instruction, faculty should be teaching in the modalities approved by ACC. 

We have maintained the two-week Covid-related modality change. If you, members of your household, or members of your class get Covid, you may switch to an online or hybrid modality without approval. (If you are sick, you can avail yourself of our standard short-term sick leave.)

Faculty who would like vaccination rate information for their classes may obtain it from the Provost’s office.

Finally, one-year extensions of the tenure clock and PTR will be available to individuals starting their tenure or PTR period this year. 

Other details can be found in the agreement itself (link to PDF). We encourage you to reach out to UFWW President Peter Pihos (ufwworg@PROTECTED) if you have questions about this Covid MOU or need other assistance from the union. We look forward to seeing many of you soon. 

Solidarity,

Peter Pihos, UFWW President

Vicki Hsueh, UFWW Vice President

Matt Roelofs, UFWW Bargaining Team Chair

---

Unsubscribe »