‘Overdue’ for a fair contract

UW Library and press workers are ramping up the pressure on university administration to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement 

SEATTLE, WA (February 4, 2026) — For four months, library and press workers at the University of Washington have been bargaining for a new contract. Their demands are straightforward: a livable wage, equity between professional staff and librarians, and layoff protections. Despite multiple bargaining sessions in January, university administrators aren’t coming to the table with reasonable proposals, per the workers’ union, SEIU Local 925.

The workers’ previous contract expired on January 31. Now, library and press staff are asking the community to urge UW President Dr. Robert Jones to negotiate in good faith.

A top priority for workers is wages. Many staff are being pushed farther and farther away from campus as housing costs increase. With low pay, many workers can’t afford their student loan payments and rely on food stamps to cover grocery costs, per the union. Yet the University has offered library and press workers only a 1% raise over the entire three years of the contract. With inflation, that effectively amounts to a pay cut.

UW Libraries and Press staff rallying with allies in Red Square on the University of Washington campus in January. Photo: SEIU Local 925

The workers are also pushing for equity between professional staff and librarians and layoff protections. SEIU Local 925 reports that during negotiations for the recently expired contract, workers had to threaten a strike to win a fair bargaining agreement.

While a strike is always a last resort, library and press workers are energized to win a new contract. Workers rallied in Red Square on January 21, joined by allies from the University community and other union members.

Now, library and press workers are asking labor family and community supporters to send a message to UW President Dr. Robert Jones and help pressure management to settle a fair contract.

TAKE A STAND: Send a message to UW leadership in solidarity with UW library and press staff.