June 4, 2022
Too often, UW Researchers are made to feel that being pregnant is a burden to their work. Worse, their careers (and families) can suffer the consequences when they are subject to disparate treatment. In our conversations with thousands of Researchers across campus we’ve heard an alarming number of instances of this. Two UW Researchers detailed their experiences here and here.
How does having a union make a difference? At the University of California, a Postdoc was almost forced out of her position because of pregnancy discrimination, but through her union, thousands of organized academic workers quickly mobilized in her support, successfully pressuring UC to reinstate her appointment. Here at UW, unionized Postdocs and Academic Student Employees used their collective voice to bargain one of the most innovative higher education anti-discrimination programs in the nation, called EPIC (Empowering Prevention and Inclusive Communities), which is designed to stop discriminatory behavior at its root. EPIC trainings offer skills in bystander intervention, sexual harassment prevention, and building healthy and inclusive communities. As such they are departures from traditional trainings that focus primarily on what constitutes bad behavior and liability. Since they’ve been jointly developed by unionized Postdocs and ASEs, they are tailored to the specific power dynamics and working conditions of academics.
By voting yes to form our union, we create a stronger voice to make institutional change like this at UW. We can topple the culture that enables pregnancy discrimination and create real recourse for those who experience it. Together, we can ensure that all researchers receive the support they need to advance their careers and raise a family if they choose.
Are you ready to vote #UnionYes? Take a minute to vote yes and help RSEs move one step closer to making our collective voice heard at the bargaining table. After you vote, fill out this short form to let us know.
Have a question?
Check out the growing list of Questions and Answers about the vote. Reach out (contact@uwresearchersunited.
UWRU/UAW Election Organizing Committee
Thaddeus Armstrong
Jared Bechtel
Jai Broome
Shelly Carpenter
Iván Cruz
Kellie Dunn
Abby Gambrill
Sharon Garrett
Victor Han
Phil Hurvitz
Maddie Jones
Eli Kaufman
Julia Kobelt
Cara Margerhio
Deborah Nemens
Katie Osterhage
Daniel Pfalmer
Meredith Rawls
Van Redila
Sam Richardson
Jacob Tietsort
Amanda Winans
Tricia Wu