Labor issues at the University of Washington extend far beyond the classroom. The university is home to a number of organizations dedicated to connecting academia and workers while advocating for change, from labor unions to student groups.
Campus Unions
UAW Local 4121
UAW Local 4121 is the Union for 4,500 Academic Student Employees (ASEs) – Research Assistants, Teaching Assistants, Staff Assistants, Readers/Graders, Tutors, and Fellows and Trainees doing similar work – at the University of Washington. In addition to negotiating and enforcing important workplace improvements for ASEs at UW, UAW Local 4121 members fight for social and economic justice on campus and in the community through participation in a broad range of organizations and struggles.
WFSE 1428
WFSE 1428 is the campus-wide union of the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE), including Library, Custodial, Harborview Medical Center Security and Staff, and Skilled Trades units at the University of Washington.
SEIU 925
Over 5,000 people who work for the University of Washington are represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 925. Accountants, parking attendants, graphic designers, budget analysts, cashiers, medical technicians, and many more people working on campus and at medical centers are represented by SEIU Local 925.
Student Groups
United Students Against Sweatshops
For 20 years, United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS) has leveraged the purchasing power of our universities to force companies to respect the rights of workers both locally on campus and abroad in garment factories where collegiate apparel is produced. We also believe that students, as current and future workers, should have access to quality education and be equipped with the skills needed to advocate for themselves.
MEChA de UW
Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán at the University of Washington is a student organization that promotes higher education, cultura, & historia.
SUPER UW
Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights is a student group at the University of Washington dedicated to equal rights and justice for the Palestinian people.
Huskies for Food Justice
The Huskies for Food Justice (formerly known as Husky Real Food Challenge) is a registered student organization dedicated to working with Housing and Food Services (HFS), students, and faculty to provide ecologically sustainable, locally sourced, humanely and fairly produced food to students on campus in HFS dining facilities.
UW Sustainability Action Network
The UW Sustainability Action Network is a collaborative campus network that engages and empowers diverse perspectives in pursuit of sustainability in our environment, society, government, and economy.