Show support for union at University of Washington

I’m encouraged by the increased union activity across the country after so many years of quiet. Workers at Amazon, Starbucks and other employers are unionizing, and existing unions are flexing their muscles. The University of Washington Press and Librarians are also unionizing. Like the strike now at the University of California, workers at the UW are negotiating better pay, equity, family/parental leave, working conditions, hours and a host of other issues.

Over the last three years workers at the UW Press and the Libraries have received no raises. In that time many have left for better paying opportunities at other institutions, including local community colleges. Frequently, these jobs have be left unfilled leaving those who choose to stay required to work longer hours to pick up the slack. Often this falls on salaried workers who are not paid overtime. Inflation is running at approximately 8 percent but the UW is offering a 2 percent “cost of living” increase. The UW is located in a city with an exceptionally high cost of living. Among institutions of comparable size and stature the UW ranks in the bottom tier for compensation.

Everett has a long and very strong history for union activism. If you are a union member, a UW alumni, or a citizen concerned about maintaining excellence at the UW, I urge you to contact UW president Ana Mari Cauce (pres@u.washington.edu) and express you support.

Jim Woolson

Everett