Editor's note: This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
Western Academic Workers United’s operational student employees paused their strike Monday, June 2, after university administration agreed to hold bargaining talks.
This comes after Washington State Rep. Joe Timmons called both Western Washington University President Sabah Randhawa and WAWU OSE Bargaining Committee Member Aspen Cates-Doglio to mediate a strike pause. In the calls, Representative Timmons said the university does not need legislative approval to recognize the OSEs as a bargaining committee.
OSEs went on strike from last Wednesday through Sunday; Picket lines were maintained through the week. Over the weekend, WAWU held phone banking sessions and picketed during Super Awesome Fest, a music festival held by Western’s Arts and Music Productions that is primarily facilitated by OSEs.
On campus, trash piled up due to trash companies respecting the picket line, according to WAWU's Instagram. Whatcom Transportation Authority buses avoided the north campus picketing by rerouting their Viking Union stop to Garden Street. Multiple professors canceled classes and some OSE workplaces, such as information desks and the recycling center, were closed.
On Monday, WAWU leaders held a meeting to inform its members of the situation and give meeting attendees a chance to ask the bargaining committee questions.
In the meeting, bargaining committee members shared that Western administration acknowledged their demands. However, they said the university is still unwilling to recognize OSEs as a bargaining body without legislative approval.
On Monday Randhawa addressed the university with an email updating students and faculty on the strike pause and the university's stance.
“I want to reiterate that the university supports all student employees and respects their legal right to seek collective bargaining through the appropriate legislative process,” Randhawa said.
OSE bargaining committee member Stephanie Lark said for people on the outside looking in, it may not seem like a lot, but progress is being made with these new negotiations.
“As someone who’s been on the bargaining committee since last year, I can tell you from firsthand experience this is the most productive meeting,” Lark said.
A tentative new strike deadline has been set for Monday, June 9, if negotiations are not moving fast enough to put further pressure on the administration. WAWU set a second check-in meeting for Wednesday, June 4 at 5 p.m., where they will evaluate the situation. If negotiations have broken down, then they may set a sooner strike deadline for Friday, June 6.
In the meeting, WAWU said they are looking for three things from the university: a contract that meets their demands, enforcement of that contract and representation — if the contract is not followed, the union can take legal action to make sure it is followed.
George Cox (he/him) is a campus news reporter for The Front this quarter. He is a third-year public relations pre-major. When he’s not reporting, you can find him enjoying coffee, playing basketball, or going on a hike. You can reach him at georgecox.thefront@gmail.com.
