News & Updates
2026 Initial Bargaining Demands
Wages and Compensation Raise each job classification’s minimum wage and stipend rate yearly to keep pace with Bellingham’s rising cost of living and decades of inflation. Pay employees accurately and on time for all hours worked including but not limited to: required...
2026-08 Executive Board Vacancy Election Results
On August 20th, 2026, one officer was sworn into the Executive Board of Western Academic Workers United. We are pleased to announce the uncontested election of Kaitlyn Minnote as President. Kaitlyn was sworn in at the August Monthly Membership Meeting and shall serve...
2026-08 Executive Board Vacancy Election Nominations
Hi Folks! Nominations for our Executive Board vacancy election will open on August 1st! If you have been waiting for the right moment to get involved in our union, now is your chance! Local elections are incredibly important in building our union's power to make...
Progress has been made!
On Friday May 29th WAWU and WWU made incredible progress on a tentative agreement for all student workers on campus! The first of its kind in Washington State. So far we have had 10 bargaining sessions… and student workers have shown their strength, showing up on...
2026-05 Executive Board Vacancy Election Results
On May 21st, 2026, nine officers were sworn into the Executive Board of Western Academic Workers United. We are pleased to announce the election of Anika Erickson as President, receiving 62% of all votes cast in this election. Additionally, we are excited to welcome...
Bargaining Update: Only 4 sessions left…
On Monday, our WAWU bargaining committee passed over 9 articles – tentatively agreeing on only two: Our travel article, as it currently stands; and a new Article – Reclassifications. Reclassifications will allow student workers to challenge their classification and...
Bargaining Update! Monday May 4th 2026
By Monday May 4th 2026, WAWU and WWU administration had met four times... nearly five... Five if it weren't for a surprise cancellation on our bargaining team just after 8AM day of.Here's a little recap of what's been happening at, and away, from the...
2026-05 Executive Board Vacancy Election Voting
Voting has opened for our 2026-05 Executive Board Vacancy Election! All members in good standing are eligible to vote, and can do so here: https://forms.gle/c8mBBosGVQHWnh997Candidate statements have been posted here. Voting opened on 2026-05-09 and closes 2026-05-16...
2026-05 Executive Board Vacancy Election Candidates
The 2026-05 Vacancy Election Nominations opened on 2026-04-16 and closed at midnight on 2026-04-25. Details can be found on the election announcement post. President Anika Erickson Tutor at Hacherl Research and Writing Studio Candidate declined to provide a statement...
2026-05 Executive Board Vacancy Election Nominations
Nominations for the WAWU Executive Board opened today! If you’re a student employee — ESE or OSE — who wants to help run the union, now is a great chance to get involved. There are a variety of positions open, which have their own unique responsibilities. The...
It’s official! OSEs are CERTIFIED!
On April 15th 2026, Operational Student Employees (OSEs) at Western Washington University received official certification from the Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission! With more than 63% of OSEs showing their support for recognition and choosing...