Unveiling the Voices of University of Washington Student Workers: The Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies Launches Comprehensive Survey
The Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies is proud to announce the launch of a groundbreaking survey aimed at understanding the intricate relationship between work and the undergraduate experience at the three University of Washington campuses. Inspired by UCLA Labor Center’s Unseen Cost: The Experiences of Worker and Learners in Los Angeles County and UW’s own AAUP State of The Faculty 2023, Bridges Center research assistants Maya Cruz, Sara Sprague, Niki Muratori, Bisma Ali, Areeg Ahmed, and Maya Bolin aim to shed light on the challenges faced by student workers and unveil any potential worker rights violations occurring within the university community.
The survey is open to all undergraduate students enrolled in at least 6 credits at any University of Washington campus who are concurrently engaged in at least one paid position. The focus is on student workers: individuals balancing the demands of higher education with employment responsibilities. Information from the survey and interviews will be aggregated, so individual responses will remain confidential. As a token of appreciation for participation, respondents will be entered into a raffle with a chance to win one of three $250 gift cards. To enter, participants simply need to provide their email address when completing the survey.
The survey covers a wide range of topics, including demographic information, employment details, reasons for working, and potential rights violations. It delves into students' experiences with unpaid positions, commuting, financial aid, and the impact of work on academic activities. A significant portion of the survey focuses on worker rights and potential violations. Questions cover knowledge of worker rights, experiences of wage theft, discrimination, workplace conditions, and the awareness and comfort of students in addressing such issues with their employers.
The survey also serves as a platform to inform students about available resources and support services on campus. The Bridges Center emphasizes the importance of students being aware of their rights and resources. Information on child care assistance, disability resources, mental health services, medical care, legal services, financial aid, and transportation is provided to ensure students are well informed and supported. From preliminary survey anecdotes and experiences, the team hopes to recruit a representative pool of students to participate in confidential interviews. These interviews will be 30 minutes long for the compensation of $50, and be an opportunity to share more about student experiences. Researchers will contact survey participants with interview invites, interviews will take place remotely and be flexible to students' schedules.
The launch of this survey by the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies marks a significant step toward understanding and addressing the challenges faced by student workers at the University of Washington. The valuable insights gathered will contribute to a cumulative research report released in the spring quarter and the creation of a more supportive environment for student workers.
The Center encourages all eligible students to participate and make their voices heard: take the survey here.