Welcome & return to campus // Elections // Solidarity with striking carpenters // And more!

It’s the start of the quarter!

It’s finally here: Autumn 2021, UW’s first in-person quarter since Winter 2020! We may all be experiencing a mix of feelings–nervous, excited, worried, optimistic–but no matter what, we all have the support of our fellow union members as we navigate the new term!

[Alt: a large white dog jumps into a huge pile of leaves, disappearing inside them.]

Return to Campus – Know Your Rights

As Academic Student Employees and Postdocs, we have strong protections in our contracts for issues such as health & safety, workload, paid training, and more. As many of us are returning to campus this week, please take a minute to review this summary of your rights. Note that both the Academic Student Employee and Postdoc contracts are clear that we cannot be required to work in conditions that pose an imminent threat to health and safety. If you have any concerns or questions about your appointment, know that you do not have to work in unsafe conditions, and reach out to the Contract Enforcement Working Group <contractenforcement@uaw4121.org> right away for support.

Though the contracts we have fought for offers strong protections, they also don’t enforce themselves. Especially considering the ever-evolving context of the pandemic, complicated by a lack of clear policy communication from management, asserting our rights is dependent on our ability to support and organize with each other. Members are continuing to meet on an ongoing basis to coordinate and develop organizing plans for ensuring a safe campus for all. If you are interested in getting involved, please fill out your information here.

For more information about updated policies, resources, and your contractual rights — including health and safety, workload, appointment security, and more — check out the COVID Resource Center.

Elections Matter- Make your voice heard!

Over the last academic year, we’ve worked together to fight on all fronts — at the bargaining table with UW Admin, at City Hall, in Olympia, in Washington DC — to support research, education, and equity for all workers. Voting in local elections is an essential piece of making our voices heard about the issues that impact all of us, like affordable housing and transportation, racial and climate justice, and building a region that works for all people. Looking toward the November elections, it’s critical that we continue our fight at the ballot box!

What You Can Do

Register to vote! You can register online or by mail until Monday 10/25 or in person through election day. Ballots will hit mailboxes starting October 13 so get registered today!

• Make your plan to vote. Are you a ballot drop box or vote by mail person? Either way, making a plan now increases the likelihood that you’ll vote in November. Remember, ballots are due November 2nd at 8pm. You can drop in the mail (no stamp needed!) or in a ballot drop box.
• If you’re in Seattle, submit your Democracy Vouchers! Each Seattle voter and/or green card holder is eligible to give four $25 Democracy Vouchers to candidates running in Seattle city elections. Request your vouchers online.
• Contribute to our union’s political fund: If you’re eligible to vote in the U.S., consider contributing $1-$5 per month to VCAP (the UAW Voluntary Community Action Program). If we collectively raised an average of $1 per member per month for VCAP, we could begin to counter corporate spending and elect strong allies — ultimately also helping move legislation that will get corporate money out of politics altogether (in Seattle and nationally). Contribute to VCAP today!
• Canvass for candidates: Even if you aren’t eligible to vote, there are other important ways you can participate! When we talk directly to other voters about our candidates, we make a huge impact on election outcomes and build relationships with candidates so they will be accountable to members’ needs. We have an organized canvass for Nikkita Oliver, Teresa Mosqueda, and Lorena Gonzalez in October. RSVP here or email political@uaw4121.org for more information about this and other canvassing opportunities.

Support Striking Carpenters 

Carpenters need your support to win a fair contract! Over the past week, Northwest Carpenters have been on strike, with contract demands including wages that keep up with Seattle’s cost of living. As 4121 members know all too well, skyrocketing housing costs are pushing more and more people farther and farther away from where we work and are exacerbating gentrification and the climate crisis. The carpenters’ strike brings these issues into sharp relief, and their fight for a strong contract stands to create better conditions for all of us.

UAW 4121 members have already been showing up in strong support for striking carpenters, attending rallies and marching the picket lines. As the strike continues, all 4121 members are strongly encouraged to continue showing up at pickets and offering your solidarity. Pickets typically run from about 5am through the day, at various locations throughout the Puget Sound including at the Microsoft site and sites in downtown Seattle and South Lake Union. For more info and to get involved, email uaw4121@uaw4121.org.

Snag some union merch!

Need some fresh union gear for fall?? Stop by the breezeway between the Social Work and Speech & Hearing Sciences Building (4131 15th Ave) between 3-6pm on Thursday, September 30th or Friday, October 1st to grab a free t-shirt, beanie, and stickers.

If you already have merch and have a baby or pet who has done a great job of modeling it, please send the comms team (comms@uaw4121.org) photos or tag us on social media! We would love to feature them in upcoming emails and posts.