UW Bargaining Update #3: Bargaining Has Begun | Where We Stand Now
Dear University of Washington Bargaining Unit Members,
Your Contract Negotiations Committee/Bargaining Team met with management for our first negotiation session yesterday.
We came to the table prepared and presented an above average amount of proposals, thanks to your guidance from bargaining survey responses.
Management did not respond to the articles we brought forward yesterday, or present proposals for us to review. We are expecting management to come back to the table with counterproposals at our next session on July 9th.
Key Proposals from June 25
During Thursday’s session, we focused on:
- Strengthening our contract’s non-discrimination language to protect the victims of hate crimes and whistle-blowers.
- Protections against Artificial Intelligence (AI) replacing WFSE workers or being used for employment-related decisions.
- Improving contract language to prevent the UW from using student workers to replace the work of WFSE UW members (particularly among Food Service workers).
- Expanding the $200 annual boot credit to all members with job-specific footwear (IE, cooks required to wear non-slip footwear in the kitchen or security required to have puncture-resistant footwear).
- Expanding paid time off to use the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Increasing response and reaction time to begin investigations within 15 days.
These are just some of the proposals our team covered, always keeping the impacts to your lives at the forefront of our negotiations.
Upcoming Events and Thank You
- June 28, 12:30 PM: March with union siblings at the Seattle Pride Parade, sponsored by local 1495! All unions invited. We will be meeting on 4th Ave between James St. and Cherry St., near Seattle City Hall.
- July 25, 2026: Local 1495 BBQ! Meet at shelter 1 in Ravenna Park.
- August 6, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM: BBQ at UW Main Campus. Come hand out flyers, talk to other members about bargaining, and get swag!
We would like to say thank you to all our union siblings who came to Local 3488’s Bargaining Bonanza on June 24! Hundreds of you showed up to build camaraderie and spread some WFSE joy. We even got to sign up some new members! The visibility and fun at these events make an impact at the bargaining table.
Coming Next
Your engagement during bargaining is paramount to reminding management that we are actively organizing and fighting for a better contract. When we stand as a united bargaining unit, we have much more power than we do as individuals.
You can get involved at whatever level works for you.
Share your story here. We’re looking for videos and quotes about what a fair contract would mean for you. Could you afford better food for your family? Stop stressing about rent? Finally get some car repairs done? Whatever it is, your story is important. Let us know, and we’ll tell management how a fair contract would help you and the greater UW community.
Join a Member Action Team (MAT) and get connected with member leaders at UW to help organize at your workplace. MATs help build solidarity and connect members with resources to strengthen our contracts.
Send a message to WFSE’s Labor Negotiators here—comments, questions, or concerns, it’s all welcome.
Follow along with our updates and read our last bargaining update here.
Wear green on WFSE Wednesdays and on bargaining dates! Our next bargaining date is July 9. We want to have a sea of green at UW, keeping our collective power top-of-mind.
Thank you for your support. We’re fighting for a better contract for every worker at UW, and will keep you updated as negotiations progress.
In solidarity,
Your 2027-2029 University of Washington Contract Negotiations Committee
Austin Fields, Hospital Security Officer - Harborview
Local 3488
Brian Edwards, Jr., Administrative Assistant - Harborview
Local 3488
DonTazz Williams, Cook – UWMC Montlake
Shop Steward – Local 1495
Erica Mattingly, Mental Health Practitioner - Harborview
President, Local 3488
Jessica Moskowitz, Mail Carrier – UW Main Campus
Shop Steward – Local 1495
Jorge Torres, Electrician – UW Main Campus
Local 1495
Joseph Anderson, Cook – UW Main Campus
Local 1495
Ken Clark Glazier, Lead – UW Main Campus
Vice President, Shop Steward – Local 1495
La’queena Saddler, Custodian - Harborview
Local 3488
Paula Lukaszek, Plumber Lead – UW Main Campus
President, Shop Steward – Local 1495
Peter Tauer, Gardener – UW Tacoma
Local 53
Rachel Pryor, Medical Assistant - Harborview
Local 3488
Soren Prescott, Custodian – UWMC Montlake
Treasurer, Shop Steward – Local 1495
Tashia Hankerson, Patient Services Specialist Lead - Harborview
Local 3488
Tylr Kozelisky, Supply Chain Technician – UWMC Montlake
Shop Steward – Local 1495