In a first, Western student workers bargain as one

After a years-long fight to change the law, Occupational Student Workers can now bargain alongside fellow student workers at Western Washington University

BELLINGHAM, WA (April 8, 2026) — 1,100 Operational Student Employees (OSEs) at Western Washington University (WWU) are bargaining their first union contract after successfully lobbying the Washington State Legislature to grant them the right to form their union. OSEs reached majority support and filed to join WAWU-UAW Local 4929 three times in the last three years. But without a change in state law, workers were blocked in their organizing effortts.

That changed on March 18, when Governor Bob Ferguson signed HB 1570 into law, codifying the right to collectively bargain for occupational student workers at Western. Days later, OSEs won union membership through a card-check process through Washington’s Public Employees Relation Commission. After a multi-year fight, OSEs are now at the bargaining table with Educational Student Employees (ESEs) at WWU for the first time.

WAWU-UAW members joined Governor Bob Ferguson for the signing of HB 1570 on March 18. Photo: LSS

As WAWU-UAW Local 4929, thousands of student workers across all departments are pushing for a contract that covers both OSEs and ESEs under the same terms. (ESEs have been working under the current collective bargaining agreement since spring of 2024). In late February, as workers were gearing up for contract negotiations, the union shared priorities for the upcoming contract: raise wages, include comprehensive healthcare benefits, provide support and training for students whose jobs expose them to potentially traumatic crises, and secure protections for international student workers.

As of April 7, student workers and university administration have now sat down for two bargaining sessions. In a bargaining update posted to the WAWU website, union workers shared that the employer is open to a number of their proposals, but is also looking to roll back some of the protections secured in the 2024 CBA. Negotiations will continue in late April.

As bargaining continues, one thing is certain; student workers at Western have proved their commitment to securing a voice on the job, no matter the obstacles in front of them.