Black History Month
To kick things off for Black History Month this year, check out this list of resources and current initiatives that the UW Black Student Union compiled on this linktr.ee. If you are a Black graduate student at UW, you are also encouraged to reach out to bgsa@uw.edu to get connected with the Black Graduate Student Association!
February Membership Meeting 02/10 at 5pm
As a reminder, our next membership meeting will be Thursday 2/10 from 5-6pm via Zoom. To access the link and/or call-in number, please fill out this short form. All members in good standing are encouraged to attend, and anyone who is not yet a member can sign up here beforehand. Everyone is encouraged to login five minutes earlier to help expedite the check-in process. The agenda for the meeting is as follows:
- Approve agenda
- Approve minutes
- 2022 Local Budget
- Organizing updates
- Housing Justice Survey
- Anti-Discrimination Working Group
- Adjourn
Any member who would like to propose additional agenda items or submit materials for the meeting is welcome to email uaw4121@uaw4121.org by 5pm on Wednesday, February 9th. All members in good standing are encouraged to attend, and anyone who is not yet a member can sign up here beforehand. For more information about how the meeting will be structured and how you can use Zoom’s features to participate, check out this page on our website.
Support unionizing Starbucks workers
Starbucks workers across the country (including three locations in Seattle) are fighting to unionize! Fifteen more stores filed for union elections this week, including one in Eugene, Oregon. Last week, Seattle city councilmember Kshama Sawant introduced a resolution to support unionizing Starbucks workers. Show your support for the resolution and the unionizing Starbucks Partners by emailing Seattle City Council (council@seattle.gov) by 2/8 using this template, and find out more information about the Starbucks Workers United on their website and Twitter.
Solidarity with UW Unions in Bargaining!
We’re proud to be part of a strong and growing coalition of unions at UW, made up of thousands of workers doing a wide variety of jobs that make the university run — from custodial workers to nurses to administrative assistants, and many more. By demonstrating our ongoing solidarity with each other, we can build power for each other’s fights and ultimately win improvements that make UW a better place for all students, workers, patients, and community members. Check out the info below on UW unions who are currently in bargaining, along with some actions you can take to demonstrate your solidarity!
Librarians: During the pandemic, UW Libraries Professional Staff and Librarians have put in countless hours organizing to win their union, UW Libraries Union. After winning recognition, they’ve been bargaining for their first contract since October.
- Join the Libraries and Labor Unions Panel on 2/8 (info below)!
- Follow UW Libraries Union on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and share posts to support them in bargaining.
Residents and Fellow Physicians: UW medical and dental trainees with the Residents and Fellow Physicians Union – Northwest (RFPU) started bargaining for a new contract last month. Their top priorities include fair salary increases, measures to better ensure equity in recruitment, and increased measures for patient safety and safe staffing.
- Check out (and share!) this UAW 4121 solidarity statement.
- Follow RFPU on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and share posts to support them in bargaining.
- Be on the lookout for more info soon on solidarity actions you can participate in!
RSVP for 2/8 Libraries and Labor Unions Panel
What do labor unions have to do with libraries? How are labor unions critical to pushing for DEI-related changes in institutions like libraries, academia, and beyond? Attend the Libraries & Labor Unions panel on 2/8 from 6-7pm to find out! RSVP here.
This panel is co-organized by UW ALISS (Association of Librarians and Information Professionals in the Social Sciences), the iSchool Doctoral Students Association, and the iOrganizers. The panel will be moderated by MLIS candidate Jacob Lackner, and the panelists will include:
- Emily Drabinski, Critical Pedagogy Librarian, City University of New York
- Kelly McElroy, Student Engagement and Community Outreach Librarian, Oregon State University
- Christine M. Moeller, UAW 4121 Organizer & University of Washington PhD Candidate
- Madison Sullivan, UW Libraries Union Organizer & Fine and Performing Arts Librarian, University of Washington