Western University student workers strike

Hundreds of Operational Student Employees are striking for union recognition and a fair contract

BELLINGHAM, WA (May 29, 2025) — 1,200 workers at Western Washington University (WWU) walked off the job and onto the picket line early yesterday morning after the university administration refused to recognize the workers’ union and negotiate a contract.

Operational Student Employees (OSEs) formed their union, WAWU-UAW, two years ago to address workplace issues they face as they work their way through school. Fellow student workers — those who perform academic work at WWU — are already unionized, working under a collectively bargained contract. As their title implies, OSEs do operational work, including working at campus daycare, recycling center, library, food pantry, and more.

Despite majority support in three separate votes over the past two years, Western won’t recognize the workers’ union. Per the workers, University administration has previously claimed that absent legislation explicitly requiring WWU to recognize OSEs’ union, they are unable to do so. However, as the Bellingham City Council pointed out in a letter sent in support of the student workers, it is fully within the University’s power to voluntarily recognize the union.

Photo: WAWU-UAW

“We don’t want to strike, but the WWU Administration has disregarded our decision and left us no choice,” said Mathew Woorden, Program Support Staff at the Academic Advising and Student Achievement Center, in a statement. “We’re asking for the same rights as our peers, health and safety protections, proper training, to know our hours in advance, basic working protections for the jobs we do that Western depends on, and that enables us to work our way through an undergraduate education which is getting harder and harder.”

OSEs at Western are part of a wave of student organizing at campuses across Washington and the U.S., as more student workers choose to join together in union to secure better working conditions and a voice on campus.

Striking workers gathered for a mass rally yesterday afternoon, calling out the administration’s refusal to recognize their union and bargain a contract, just like they have for other student workers on campus. WAWU reports that union workers from across campus came out in support, and WTA union bus drivers respected the picket line and rerouted buses. Deliveries were stopped and delayed because drivers weren’t willing to cross a picket line. In addition to maintaining their picket lines, OSEs will attend the WWU Budget Forum today at 3:00 p.m. to deliver the message: Voluntary Recognition Costs Nothing!