Hundreds of ASEs occupy Labor Relations on April 4th.
Today the UW Administration released their financial proposals for our next contract. They include:
  • 0% Wage Increase for 2018-2019 academic year, 1% wage increase for next 2 years
  • $540 annual increase in healthcare fees
  • $900 annual increase in building fees, which can be increased at UW’s will each quarter
This is despite a $250 million dollar budget increase for the UW from 2016 to 2017, or a total $7.2 billion dollar annual budget. UW has more money than ever, and still they want to decrease our compensation! Clearly this is unacceptable. Here’s what you can do:
Step one, sign the equity petition. With thousands of ASEs signed on, we can show the UW our solidarity and participation in bargaining. This petition will help us win new workplace protections against discrimination, and also help us build our strength to fight for better pay and benefits. Full proposal language here.
 
Step two, attend our next bargaining session! The UW executive vice president for finance and administration will be discussing why UW can’t afford to pay us more. Come hear his sob story and ask your questions! Monday April 16th, 10am-12pmRoosevelt Commons West.
 
Step three, spread the word! It only takes a minute to update your officemate or labmate about this proposal from UW. All academic student employees need to hear about this!
Quick updates from today’s bargaining meeting:
 
The Good: As a result of our major action on April 4th, where 300 ASEs came to the bargaining meeting on equity issues, the university has agreed to many of our demands on equity contract language. Between yesterday and today, we have won:
  • Equal partnership in jointly developing new anti-harassment trainings
  • Paid time for all ASEs who participate in these trainings
  • Paid positions for 2 ASEs to work with the university to design and implement the trainings
  • Anti-retaliation interim measures in our contract that protect students who come forward with complaints of harassment
The Bad: The UW has refused to address our demand for equity committees to be established in departments. These committees would work with departments to fight discrimination and support underrepresented ASEs through their academic programs. They are also attempting to weaken our arbitration process, by which we can take the university to a neutral third party in a legal case over contract violations.
 
The Ugly: As mentioned above, the UW unveiled their financial proposal, lamenting that they just don’t have the money to pay us well.
We can fight back and win if we work together!
In Solidarity,
Theresa Aliwarga
Douglas Avella-Castro
Dianne Baumann
Andrea Canini
Anthony Castanza
Monica Cortes Viharo
Meg Drouhard
Kristen Garofali
Katya Kolesova
Dylan Mayer
Mandy McCourt
Kristin McCowan
Elizabeth Mills
David Parsons
Shua Sanchez
Maddie Smith
Sam Sumpter
Arash Tarkhan
Judy Twedt