News & Updates
SHB1570 Passes Labor & Commerce
On Tuesday, February 24th, 2026, our OSE Collective Bargaining Bill (SHB 1570) was passed by the Washington State Senate Labor & Commerce Committee! This is great news, and we're incredibly thankful for the support from our legislators in Olympia, and the hard...
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 Bargaining Committee Candidates
OSE BC Candidate Alejandro Alejandro Garcia (He/him) This is my third year being involved with our union and my second year actively organizing. I attended some regional classes over the summer that showed me some of the possibilities for the scope of our contract. I...
SHB1570 Passes House Floor
On Saturday, February 14th, 2026, our OSE Collective Bargaining Bill (SHB 1570) was passed by the Washington State House of Representatives, 58 to 35. Amendment 1805 was denied, which would have removed the emergency clause from our bill that allows it to take effect...
2026-02 EXECUTIVE BOARD VACANCY ELECTION RESULTS
On February 19th, 2026, four officers will be sworn into the Executive Board of Western Academic Workers United. We are pleased to announce the uncontested election of Heather Curfman, a Class Facilitator with Associated Students; Lily Eilebrecht, a tutor in the Math...
RESLIFE WINTER TRAINING PAY DISCREPANCIES
All student employees within Resident Life who attended the Winter Quarter all-hands training were paid out at the 2025 rate of $19.00 per hour. This was in violation of the OSE Terms and Conditions of Employment, as well as Section A, Subsection IV of the Resident...
2026 BARGAINING COMMITTEE NOMINEES
The following candidates are running for the 2026 Joint Bargaining Committee as OSEs. 6 OSE positions are avaliable on the Joint Bargaining Committee. Nominations close on 2/12/2026, and voting will open on 2/26/26. Candidate statements will be posted prior to voting...
2026-02 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
These minutes were furnished for publication by our Recording Secretary, Anika Erickson, on February 5th, 2026. For questions, please contact eboard@wawu-union.org. 2026-02-05 Eboard MinutesDownload
2026-01 Monthly Membership Meeting Minutes
These minutes were furnished for publication by our Recording Secretary, Anika Erickson, on February 5th 2026. For questions, please contact eboard@wawu-union.org. 2026-01-22 MMM Meeting MinutesDownload
SHB1570 PASSES HOUSE APPROPRIATONS
Our OSE Collective Bargaining Bill has been passed by the Washington House of Representative's Appropriation Committee today, February 2nd! The bill is going to the House next for a floor vote, before it's passed over to the Senate Thank you to everyone who has helped...