UW Postdocs, researchers march on the boss

Hundreds of UW workers marched on university administration to demand a fair contract with meaningful wage increases and no rollback of longstanding anti-discrimination practices

SEATTLE, WA (September 24, 2026) — Over 500 postdocs, research staff, and allies rallied on the University of Washington’s Seattle campus on Wednesday, marching on the boss to keep the pressure up for a fair contract. Like other workers at the university represented by a coalition of local unions, UAW Local 4121 members are fighting for a contract that includes fair wages, meaningful immigration support, and strong non-discrimination protections.

Photo: UAW Local 4121

In a statement, UAW Local 4121 laid out deep concerns with the university administration’s current contract proposals.

“Rather than working with postdocs and research staff to address the rising cost of living, ICE attacks, and discrimination and harassment, UW is using the federal administration as an excuse to propose 1% raises, ignore job security and ICE-safety proposals, and weaken non-discrimination protections,” said Jenna Morris, Postdoctoral Scholar, UW School of Environmental and Forest Sciences. “UW can keep up this defensive posture that’s failed to stop escalating attacks, or join workers in defending research and the people who carry it out.”

Earlier this week, UW workers who are members of SEIU Local 925 took part in leafletting actions to draw attention to the administration’s attempt to rollback non-discrimination protections and the university’s longstanding commitment to DEI principles. Last week, members of WFSE, SEIU 925, and UAW Local 4121 working at UW and the UW Medical Center also joined a mass protest on campus.

Further actions are planned for September 30, per UAW Local 4121.