Staff of the University of Washington Libraries and Press held a work stoppage on Monday afternoon, walking off the job at noon and rallying and picketing across the university’s Seattle campus all afternoon. After months of bargaining, management is still refusing to come to terms on a collective bargaining agreement ensuring just compensation, fair pay, and job protections, reports the workers’ union, SEIU Local 925.
This is the second round of contract negotiations for UW Libraries and Press staff. They’re pushing for meaningful pay raises that respect their valuable labor and recognize the sky-high cost of living in the Seattle area. SEIU 925 reports that many workers can’t afford their student loan payments and rely on food stamps to cover grocery costs, despite working at one of the country’s most prestigious research universities. Workers also want to see layoff protections, DEI practices, and pay and benefits equity for professional library staff secured in a new contract.