FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2018
***PRESS ADVISORY***
Hundreds of University of Washington Academic Student Employees to pack contract negotiations in support of demands for equity and an end to sexual harassment
Action to take place on the eve of important deadline
WHO: Academic Student Employees (ASEs) at the University of Washington
WHEN: Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 12 noon
WHERE: Roosevelt Commons West Room 271
WHY: Hundreds of ASEs will attend a bargaining session to urge the UW Administration to meet their demands to end rampant sexual harassment and discrimination.
“When 2,400 of our members filled out bargaining surveys in the Fall, they stated that one of the highest priorities was to improve equity on campus and put an end to rampant sexual harassment,” says Mandy McCourt a graduate student in English and an elected member of the Union’s bargaining committee. “Our members are saying enough is enough and today we’re here to make sure that we reach agreement by our April 5th deadline.”
For the past 2 months, UAW Local 4121, the union of Academic Student Employees at the University of Washington, has been in bargaining for a new contract. The Union and the University Administration agreed that April 5th would be the deadline for resolving all outstanding non-economic issues, including these equity demands..
Proposals by the ASEs include:
- joint development of peer-led sexual harassment orientations, including stronger education about union protections;
- establishment of stronger interim and anti-retaliation measures to better protect those who wish to report discrimination and harassment;
- Department-based equity committees so students, faculty and staff can work together throughout the year to address department climate issues;
- Investment by the University Administration a peer staffing plan to ensure that anti-discrimination programs can be sustainable.
Learn more at: uaw4121.org
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