Our strike authorization vote results are in:
Yes – 2,528 votes
No – 102 votes
This is a huge accomplishment, as it is the highest voter turnout and largest strike authorization ever achieved by our union; 57% of all ASEs voted and 96.1% voted yes.
Thanks to this record turnout, we have now clearly demonstrated that the student TAs, RAs, Graders, and Tutors that make up our union are prepared to work together to reject the university’s unconvincing budget claims and fight for a contract that works for all of us.
To be clear, the strike authorization means members have given bargaining committee the authority to call a strike if they believe circumstances justify doing so. The current contract expires in 5 days, and the university has still not given us a contract offer that respects our demands stronger equity protections and considers both the economic realities of rising costs of living in Seattle and the high quality of work we do at the UW.
The elected members of the bargaining committee will be in negotiations with the university every day until the contract expires, and we sincerely hope to come to an agreement by the April 30th expiration date. However, if the university does not provide a contract that meets the needs of all ASEs, the bargaining committee is now authorized to call a strike.
Details on strike authorization, contract expiration, and the logistics of how an actual strike would work can be found on the union website, and this information will be updated as the contract negotiations continue. If you have any questions contact the union at uaw4121@uaw4121.org .
If you are interested in participating in the remaining bargaining meetings, please attend! Bargaining is an open and democratic process. Bargaining sessions typically run from about 10:00am-5:00pm at Roosevelt Commons West in Room 271.
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