Editor's note: This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
Western Washington University’s operational student employees are on strike.
Beginning at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, Western Academic Workers United set up multiple picket lines along High Street, Garden Street, West College Way and Bill McDonald Parkway.
“Our main goal for all of campus is just to shut it down,” said Olive Dillemuth, vice president of WAWU.
The OSEs are seeking recognition from the university administration as a bargaining body. They are also requesting that the administration apply the educational student employee’s collective bargaining agreement to the OSEs, with slight changes to account for OSEs specific job duties, according to WAWU organizer Erin Magarro.
The OSE bargaining committee met twice with university administration over the past two weeks to negotiate a solution after WAWU published its strike deadline. At the meeting — held the day before the strike deadline — Western administration denied the OSE bargaining committee’s proposal.
The decision to strike comes after years of organizing for bargaining rights, including two failed bills in the Washington State House and Senate which would have mandated recognition. Mandating recognition would mean the university would have to recognize the OSE’s unionization and right to bargain for workplace benefits.
The ESEs — consisting of tutors, teaching assistants and most student jobs that center academic aid — received bargaining power following eight months of negotiation with university admin, a bill passed in Washington’s House and Senate in 2023, and a two-day strike.
In an email addressed to student employees, Western’s President Sabah Randhawa said that Western supports the rights of all employees to collectively bargain and supports legislation that would grant bargaining rights.
“We will not recognize the bargaining unit prior to the passage of the enabling legislation and will continue to advocate for it in the upcoming 2026 legislative session,” Randhawa said in the statement.
However, the administration conceded equal pay to OSEs following a meeting last summer with the OSE bargaining committee without legislative recognition.
According to Randhawa, the administration takes these concerns very seriously and recognizes how vital student employees are to the university's operations and campus life.
Whatcom Transportation Authority buses initially passed the picket lines, but started rerouting transit around campus by 6 a.m.
“Due to striking workers picketing at WWU, all WTA buses are traveling on Garden St. Temporary stops have been placed at the crosswalk for your trip home,” according to a service bulletin published by WTA.
There are two main pickets: one on South campus at the intersection by the Wade King Recreation Center and the other on North campus at the intersection of East Oak Street and High Street.
Students will picket until 5 p.m. each school day, though striking students are encouraged to go to class, according to Dillemuth.
“We’re not here to interrupt anyone’s education,” Dillemuth said.
Faculty members are not permitted to strike as part of their bargaining contract, but are not required to risk their safety by crossing picket lines, according to the United Faculty of Western Washington’s website. The UFWW also allows for solidarity actions such as providing food or other supplies to striking workers, and writing letters of support. Multiple students have reported that their professors have canceled classes this week.
Along with the main pickets, there are multiple smaller pickets around the roads leading to Western.
Eduardo Lugo-Vina, a picketer outside of the Wade King Student Recreation Center, said they aren’t physically blocking people's access to the gym, but rather, they are asking people not to use the gym.
Sabrina O’Brien, an ESE, said that the ESE contract has a lot of protections that every worker should have.
“That’s why I’m out here in solidarity,” O’Brien said. “I’m fighting here because I think that my coworkers should have the same rights as me and the same protections.”
Western’s Child Development Center, which offers child care and education, is partially staffed by OSEs. While OSEs are on strike, CDC student-teacher assistants like Joey Clark worry that a lower student-to-teacher ratio means a risk to the children’s safety.
“That exact reason is why it took me so long to make the decision to go on strike,” said Clark, while on the picket line. “But in the end, I want to protect the entire community, which includes the student workers that work there as well.”
Hailey LeRoy (she/he/they) is a campus news reporter for The Front. She is a third-year environmental journalism major. Outside of the newsroom, you can find her skating with the Bellingham Roller Betties, singing choral music, or perfecting elaborate eyeshadow looks. You can reach them at haileyleroy.thefront@gmail.com.
Jae Ranney (they/them) is a second-year journalism major and city news reporter for The Front this quarter, having previously worked in campus news. When they're not chasing a lede or hounding you for a quote, they enjoy playing guitar, banjo, and drumming in a few local bands. You can reach them at jaeranney.thefront@gmail.com.
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.
