The Union of ALL Student Employees at WWU

Current Campaigns:

Going on STRIKE

Educational Student Employees

Despite an overwhelming 93% YES turnout in our Strike Authorization Vote, Western Administrators made virtually NO movement on wages, tuition assistance, bereavement leave, or probation. In response to WWU’s failure to substantively bargain over these essential articles, ESEs from across campus met and decided to set a strike deadline. If Western Admin don’t come to the bargaining table with a fair contract before 5am on Tuesday, May 21st, ESEs won’t come to work.

Sign up for Picket Shifts

Voluntary Recognition Campaign

Operational Student Employees

We filed for recognition with a majority of Authorization Card signatures in December, 2023. Without a labor contract, our jobs are disproportionally vulnerable to budget cuts at WWU. Western Administrators have refused to voluntarily recognize us and meet us at the negotiation table, but we will not stop demanding the recognition we need.

Demand Voluntary Recognition

Fully Fund Western Campaign

WWU’s Unionized Workers

WWU plays a critical role in the education and research that benefits the state of Washington. It’s unacceptable that our institution continues to be underfunded, when we give so much back to our community and our state. As a unified body, the unionized workers at Western (WFSE, PSE, WAWU, UFWWU, SEIU), call on the state legislature to provide WWU with adequate funding.

Fully Funded Western Petition

Support Student Employees

Western Community

Our collective power to make change includes the pressure that Western community members can place on Western Administrators to come to the bargaining table with fair contract proposals and avoid the impending ESE strike. You have the power to help influence WWU Admin and hold them accountable for fostering an inclusive and equitable working environment for Student Employees. 

Email WWU Admin

ALL Student Employees need:

Higher education is the great social equalizer.  As the cost of rent and university enrollment skyrockets in Bellingham, Western Administrators can and must meet educational and operational student employees at the bargaining table to face the challenge of making WWU accessible to students with diverse and underrepresented socio-economic backgrounds together.

Upcoming Actions:

ESEs on STRIKE

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

Sign up for Picket Shifts

STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS ABOUT A DIRECT SOLIDARITY ACTION ON FRIDAY MAY 17th

Not a Student Employee?

Support Striking ESEs

Next Bargaining Session

Monday, April 29th

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

Open to ALL Student Employees

11 AM – 5 PM

SOLARIUM (OLD MAIN 590)

Pack the Solarium!

OSE Authorization Cards

Until WWU volutarily reconizes us, we will continue to strengthen our majority of Operational Student Employees who want to form our union. Download and fill out an Authorization Card!

DEMANDING VOLUNTARY RECOGNITION

Why not US?

OSEs are facing urgent workplace issues and are some of the only employees at WWU not protected by a labor contract! We provide essential labor to WWU and need the opportunity to democratically determine our working conditions. Sign/share our recognition letter, to show WWU that our fellow coworkers, students, friends, and even staff/faculty support our demand!

Sign our Letter

Days without Voluntary Recognition

OSE Filing Date: 12/13/2024

Expand the Pi(e) Day Rally:

A collaboration with ALL the unionized workers of Western to fully fund WWU 

 WWU plays a critical role in the education and research that benefits the state of Washington. It’s unacceptable that our institution continues to be underfunded, when we give so much back to our community and our state. As a unified body of all 5,000 unionized workers at Western (WFSE, PSE, WAWU, UFWWU, SEIU), we are calling on the state legislature to provide Western with the funding  it deserves. 

Hundreds of WWU Workers filled red square on Pi Day (3/14) to show Western that we want to work with them to expand the pie. Add your name to the petition to ensure that WWU gets adequate funding from the state 

Western works because WE DO. Let’s work together and take away any excuses that the pie just isn’t big enough for all of us.

Sign our Petition for a Fully Funded Western!

Upcoming Events