In an update to a story we previously reported on, University of Washington Libraries and Press
employees have voted by 94.2% to authorize a one-day strike.
“I voted to strike because UW owes its workers raises that at least keep up with inflation,” said Laura Dimmit-Smyth, Fine Arts and Data Librarian at UW Bothell. “My colleagues across all 3 campuses, and at UW Press, deserve to be able to live in the communities we serve without taking a second job to make ends meet.”
During negotiations for their previous contract, workers walked out on a one-day strike. When management didn’t improve contract terms, workers authorized an indefinite strike, ultimately reaching a tentative agreement just hours before the strike deadline. Three years later, and Libraries and Press workers are once again preparing to possibly hit the strike line if UW management doesn’t get serious about outstanding issues at the bargaining table — namely, a serious mismatch between the boss’ wage offer and the actual cost of living in the Puget Sound.
The Stand