About Us
We are student workers from across all departments at Western. We do a huge amount of the work that makes Western run every day. Feel free to reach out to us at contact@wawu-union.org with questions or to get more involved.
“I work as a summer advisor in the AASAC and in housing as a Desk Attendant! I joined WAWU because I saw during the strike how much positive change we can make when we all stand together!”
– Willow Giorgini, Desk Attendant, University Residences
“I joined the union because I feel like we aren’t respected for our work. I feel like blue collar workers are less valued despite the essential work we do. We need more workplace safety, we put our bodies through a lot of stress and need precautions. A union is a way for us as students to be heard. “
–Emma Jean Greevy, Zero Waste Coordinator, WWU Recycle Center
“I joined Western Academic Workers United because I believe that education is a human right and should be 100% accessible to all. However, with low wages and insufficient job protections, students are forced to put their education and well being on the back burner time and time again while they struggle to make ends meet and pay for bare necessities. To me, being part of our union means being part of a group of people who advocate for the equitable treatment of all students on our campus.”
– Abbi Matthews, Fitness Instructor, Wade King Rec Center
“I joined the union because everyone deserves fair pay and a better work environment. We deserve a living wage and are able to achieve it together!”
– Kaye Kulp, Clerk , Fellowships Office
“I joined WAWU to support the labor rights movement because we as student workers are stronger together!
-Noah Gray, Gallery Director, WWU VU Gallery
“We need a union because unionization is the only way to ensure we’re fairly compensated for our work in this world 👁👄👁“
– Jack H, Inclusion Assistant, ResLife
“I support/joined WAWU because every employee deserves equal protections and rights regardless of their role. As of right now, OSEs are one of the few campus staff groups without proper protections and it’s important to grant all employees equal base protections/standards. Employers have an obligation to protect their employees and a large institution like WWU certainly has the ability to protect and support all of their employees, so why aren’t they? “
– Jorayne McAteer, Laborer, VU Event Services
“Supporting WAWU means making a positive impact in the lives of the thousands of WWU student employees. All people deserve to make a livable wage and be treated with respect, including student employees. Residence Life staff deserves the same care and support that we give to others. Im super excited to be working with WAWU to organize Res. Life student staff!”
-Sierra Demerjian, Resident Advisor, Beta-Gamma
“I joined WAWU because while I have pretty damn good conditions where I work, other people in my department and across campus need better conditions. We do manual labour of various sorts for this school, we deserve to be recognised as employees with rights and a say in how we are treated and our concerns need to be taken seriously by this institution. We deserve to be able to afford our rent, our food, and our education (at the very least) without pushing ourselves to the very edge of what is possible for our bodies and our mental health. That the rights we have as students somehow do not apply to our unique situations as student workers is absurd and unacceptable. Our community needs to be taken care of and if a union is the only way to get this school to help us in that, then so be it! Understand that Western can choose to make better decisions and fight for its students at any time, to fight for more funding, and make changes that better the conditions for students as a whole (just look at what the two-day strike accomplished this past May!), yet they continue to put it off. WAWU is integral in ensuring we are respected and treated with dignity here at Western and I am proud to be a part of the union. We will win recognition and OSEs will be treated as equals!”
– Cal Franco, Athletics, Carver
“I think students who work to run their own university should be fairly compensated, many of whom currently aren’t. Working just a part time job while studying is difficult as is — no one should have to struggle to make ends meet because of that. I joined wawu because I believe we need to bargain further with western for our rights as student workers! “
– Milo, Music Director, KUGS
“I work at the WWU Student-Run Recycle Center as an Operations Manager. I joined WAWU because I believe that fair wages and treatment for all Western Student Employees is the least we deserve for being the people and hands behind the scenes which make the university to run! We need a union because together we are stronger and our voices will be heard.”
–Sarah Foster, Operations Manager, WWU Recycle Center
“I joined WAWU because the labor of those who work for WWU should never be taken for granted, and this union is crucial in protecting worker rights and fighting for fair recognition of worker importance by the university. We have won and continue to work towards many incredible improvements for our workforce.”
– Edme Guetzchow, Editor in Chief, Occam’s Razor
“I joined WAWU because [I] had a great conversation over coffee [with other OSEs] and I realized that this is a really important organization that needs all hands on deck.”
– Katie Cobb, Promotion Distributor, AS Publicity Center
“I joined WAWU because my coworkers and I are exhausted and can’t afford to live! I want to help make sure my community is cared for.“
-Leo Maffei, Inclusion Assistant, ResLife
“I am so hype to be part of WAWU! I love love love that the ESEs were able to bargain a contract in the spring, and I think it is so important for the OSEs to be able to have the same right to collectively bargain as our ESE peers!”
– Leo Curtis, Program Support Staff, WHOLE Food Pantry
Mary Surdyk
“I joined WAWU because I knew that our supervisors and administration would not listen to our complaints and calls for change unless we joined together to utilize our collective strength. This union has allowed me to make new friends, connect with my coworkers, and overall feel like I am a part of a community that is changing the world for the better. I have learned so much through my discussions with workers from all over campus, and I believe that sharing our stories can help empower each other and build a greater movement..”
– Mary Surdyk, Lifeguard, Wade King Rec Center
“As a first generation student. Western needs to be unionized in order to make higher education accessible.”
– Emily Chappell
“Not every academic student employee (ASE) has the economic, social, and cultural capital to voluntarily endure the “starving student” lifestyle without either falling behind in their academic pursuits or taking on debt they may never be able to repay; WAWU offers Western a valuable opportunity to make real progress toward its stated ADEI goals by working together to build an environment in which all ASEs can survive, thrive, and ‘make waves.'”
– Kelsey Tribble
“This university works because we do. With a union, we will be able to bargain for fair compensation for our work.”
– Sally Vaux, Research Assistant, Environmental Science MS
“Unions are the only way forward. Together we can ensure we are all compensated and appreciated for the work we do. People care for people, not institutions.”
– Erin Magarro, Tutor, History BA
“Unions give workers the power to advocate for ourselves and creates a strong workforce where we’re treated and compensated fairly.”
– Callie Little, Teaching Assistant, Geology
“I want to form a union because collectively bargaining can promote a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, and build stronger recourse against discrimination and harassment.”
– Dan Hart, Teaching Assistant, MBA
“We deserve a fair contract and the only way we can get that is by organizing and bargaining collectively.”
– Lexy Aydelotte, Teaching Assistant, History MA
“Everyone benefits when workers are treated equitably, and unions can help make that happen.”
– Willa Rowan, Teaching Assistant, Geology MS
“The instructional and research work that we do for Western is important and valuable. To focus on excelling at our jobs, basic financial, housing, and health security needs must first be met. Unionizing will help us obtain the resources to better satisfy these needs and be able to prioritize the essential labor we provide for the university. ”
– Karna Ringham, Teaching Assistant, Kinesiology MS
“A union would give us the power to finally ask for living wages and better benefits that support students through the rigors of graduate school”
– Elizabeth Wirsching, Teaching Assistant, Biology MS
“We’re valuable to the university and we deserve a living wage. They won’t give us one if we ask nicely — but together, we have the power to protect ourselves.”
– Chris Reid, Teaching Assistant, English MA
“We deserve livable wages. Student employees shouldn’t have to work multiple jobs or take out loans to live comfortably.”
– Gabby Triana, Teaching Assistant, English MA
“Unions give workers power they are otherwise stripped of. With a union, workers are able to negotiate living wages, job benefits, and safer working conditions.”
– Jamie Good, Teaching Assistant, English MFA
“Student employees play a significant role in the University’s day to day function. We deserve a voice.”
– Selena Knoblauch, Teaching Assistant, History MA
“Forming a union in the right thing to do.“
– William Watts, Tutor, Manufacturing Engineering BS
“Forming a union is a way to care for our community.”
– Lily Berver, Tutor, Anthropology BS
“Academic workers are essential to the professional development and academic success of all Western students and collective bargaining is our best means for improving conditions for workers and all Western students.”
– Andrea Wooley, Teaching Assistant, Physics BS
“My greatest political motivator is joy, and labor movements are the most effective way to achieve the most amount of joy. I also love that WAWU is an intersectional movement at its core. “
– Ben Workman, Graduate Assistant, Music Education
“With a union, I could be recognized as a worker who is valued in the larger student body, and that’s empowering. Everybody should be valued equitably.”
– Paige Koenig, Teaching Assistant, Geology BS
“I support unions because when we all come together we can collectively bargain for better working conditions and wages.“
– Colby Rand, Graduate Assistant, Environmental Science MS
“The union gives us an ability to have a say in how we allocate resources.”
– Brian Pinke, Graduate Assistant, Geology MS
“Together, student workers have power. Western must recognize that.”
– Gabe Wong, ASWWU Student Senator, Energy Science BS
“ I support unions because it gives workers the opportunity to have a voice and perspective on their working conditions. Workers have an opportunity to live more dignified lives with unions. Collective bargaining can win amazing transformations across all levels of society.“
– Chase Willis, Teaching Assistant, English MA
– Nick Cunetta, Graduate Assistant, Geology MS
“I support WAWU because academic workers at Western should be treated equitably and be fairly compensated. As ASWWU President, I hope to use my social and political capital for the betterment of the student body, which includes unionization rights. ”
– Sargun Handa, ASWWU President, Psychology BS
“The only reason the university runs is because of academic workers. Give the people what they want!”
– Abby Peterson
“Unionization is the best means by which workers can leverage their value and ensure they receive livable wages, fair terms of employment, and an equitable share of the value they produce.”
– Jack McBride, Teaching Assistant, Anthropology MA
“My fellow student employees are dedicated and driven people who deserve a living wage, better benefits, and to feel respected by their university and employer. Unionizing gives us a pathway to organize and advocate for our needs!”