Operational student employees at Western received official certification as a union by the Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission on April 15, 2026.
Over 1,000 non-academic student workers were able to join Western Academic Workers United (WAWU), which had previously served only educational student employees.
After over three years of organizing, lobbying and strikes, HB 1570 was passed, extending collective bargaining rights to OSEs. They were the first non-academic student workers to unionize in Washington state, according to WAWU.
The WAWU union represents OSEs and ESEs, but each encompasses different aspects of the Western student work force. ESEs tend to hold academic roles, such as researchers, teaching assistants and tutors, while OSEs usually perform non-academic work, including media and organizing campus events.
Sophia Maynard, Associated Students vice president of governmental affairs and WAWU member, described the official certification as a huge relief, echoing the sentiments of other members. Maynard got involved in the union by participating in collective bargaining and a strike last spring.
OSEs now have a seat at the bargaining table next to their ESE colleagues. Negotiations currently include equitable wage increases, protections for immigrant and international workers and clearer lay-off processes, according to Maynard.
The bargaining meetings are open to student employees and the schedule is available on WAWU's website. The negotiation process consists of WAWU and Western passing contract article proposals and attempting to reach an agreement.
Western students pose for a selfie with Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson and Washington state Labor Council Chief of Staff Joe Kendo at the bill signing. From left to right: Clover Dorland, Christoper Rosenquist, Colleen Ryan, Emily Meyers, Lily Eilebrecht, Gov. Bob Ferguson, Chief of Staff Joe Kendo and Alejandro Garcia at the Washington state capitol building in Olympia, Wash., on March 18, 2026. Photo courtesy of WAWU
The bargaining committee now includes elected OSE members and ESEs appointed by the executive board. Since the bill's passage, both units are allowed to bargain as a collective union for a fair and legal contract.
For ESE head steward Cassi Kiger, a successful first contract would protect existing rights and expand them. She hopes to create structures that allow student workers to feel safe, seen and heard.
Heather Curfman, another head steward, added that success would be making sure nobody gets left behind. She said the union wants to prioritize OSE representation and inclusion within the student worker group.
However, the bargaining process has proven to be extremely time-consuming. Kiger and Curfman explained the frustration of sometimes feeling they’re not taken seriously because of their roles as students.
Curfman said that WAWU is committed to bargaining in good faith, with the goal of finishing the contract by the end of the term to avoid losing momentum. As the academic school year comes to a close, graduating students will leave positions that need to be filled.
All Western student employees are invited to join WAWU by signing a membership card, located on the union website’s main page. The membership requires a one-time fee of $10, and monthly dues are 1.44% of members’ monthly pay.
Optional union involvement includes weekly organizing meetings, monthly membership meetings and committees. Curfman encourages interested student workers to join the union and observe bargaining meetings to be a part of positive change for Western’s employees.
Maevis Croteau (she/her) is a first-year reporting student and campus news reporter for The Front this quarter. When she doesn't have her face glued to her laptop, she's usually out enjoying a sunset or staying up ridiculously late to cuddle with her hamster, Bolt. You can reach her at maeviscroteau.thefront@gmail.com.
