May 24, 2022
It’s time! After months of advocacy and support by RSEs across campus, we are on the eve of a vote that will finally enable our union to be certified so we can start bargaining. We’ve updated our website with a Voter Information Center. Here are some of the basics:
What?
We pushed for this union representation election to show (again) that a strong majority of Research Scientists A-4 want a union *and* so that the UW Administration could become legally obligated to bargain changes in terms/conditions with us. Importantly, this would include “status quo” changes (such as wage increases, promotions, etc) that have been held up due to UW challenges.
Who? Where? When? How?
Voting opens at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday May 25 and ends Wednesday June 8, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. All current RSEs A-4 are eligible to vote [see Election Notice] – including those challenged by UW (see our FAQ for more information). If you’re eligible you should have received voting instructions by now at your home address (the one UW has on file to you) and/or your UW email address.
From: Voter Info <voterinfo@intelivote.com>
Date: Tue, May 24, 2022 (most of us received it at around 6:20 AM)
Subject: VOTING INSTRUCTIONS – UW Representation Vote; May 25 – June 8
Don’t forget to check your spam folder! If you think you are eligible but didn’t receive information, please contact the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) right away at 360-370-2220. You can also contact us at contact@uwresearchersunited.org.
Once you’ve finished voting, please let us know so we don’t waste your time (or ours 🙂 ) contacting you.
Why?
It’s rare for change to happen at this institution without collective action. And we’re a lot stronger if we can work together to democratically decide things and have an equal voice with UW Administration. Through thousands of conversations the standard issues that come up are:
- Job security
- Child and family care support (especially during COVID)
- Safe and affordable commutes to work
- Flexibility for remote work
- Visa/immigration issues
- Bullying and toxic environments
- Gender wage equity
- Racial equity
- A wage that is fair and competitive
- Affordable housing
- Workload and doing stuff outside our job descriptions
- Transparency around promotions and wage adjustments
- The upcoming change in wage minimums per the overtime exemption rule changes
- Climate change
You can read more testimonials here. And don’t take our word for it: check out these videos from unionized UW employees who have already organized for better conditions:
- Sam Sumpter (Grad Student Employees and Postdocs Union)
- Eve Champaloux (Resident and Fellow Physician Union)
Thank you again for all of your support and feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
UWRU/UAW Election Organizing Committee
Thaddeus Armstrong
Jared Bechtel
Jai Broome
Shelly Carpenter
Ivan Cruz
Kellie Dunn
Abby Gambrill
Sharon Garrett
Victor Han
Phil Hurvitz
Maddie Jones
Eli Kaufman
Julia Kobelt
Cara Margerhio
Deborah Nemens
Daniel Pfalmer
Van Redila
Sam Richardson
Amanda Winans
Tricia Wu