WSLC’s April Sims: UW ‘doesn’t get a pass’ on fair pay

As June 7 strike looms, University of Washington administration urged to reach contract with Postdocs, RSEs

SEATTLE (June 1, 2023) — April Sims, President of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, released the following statement today regarding the looming June 7 strike date for Postdocs and Research Scientists/Engineers at the University of Washington. Postdocs’ collective bargaining agreement expired on Jan. 31, 2023. RSEs joined together in a union in June 2022 and have been in negotiations for their first contract since August 2022.

“As the largest public employer in the state, the University of Washington sets an example of what it means to act in the public good. It’s time for UW to stop looking for work-arounds and pay people fairly. The state of Washington has made a clear policy choice that workers should be paid a living wage because wages have fallen way behind for too many. The University of Washington doesn’t get a pass: that would set a dangerous precedent for every employer in the state. I stand with Postdoctoral Scholars and Research Scientists/Engineers in their fight for a living wage, and think this fight affects all workers in Washington.”

The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO is the largest union organization in Washington state, representing more than 500,000 rank-and-file members in some 600 union locals and organizations. Learn more at wslc.org.