They want to cut your protections. We’re fighting back — June 25 @ 1pm

In our joint Postdoc (PD) and Research Staff (RS) bargaining sessions, UW Management has pushed an anti-discrimination and harassment proposal that would dismantle existing protections for workers based on medical condition, ethnic origin, political affiliation, and union membership. Management has signaled that they plan to preemptively capitulate to the Trump Administration. We’ve seen how this plays out at other institutions, like Columbia University: funding and workers are threatened anyway, and academic freedom suffers. UW’s attempts to cut protections for some of us are a signal they’re willing to cut them for all of us.

Meanwhile, our colleagues are prioritizing making UW safer and more equitable: proposing powerful new protections and support for non-citizen colleagues, trans workers, and prohibiting discrimination based on caste. Read for yourself what Management proposed compared with what our bargaining teams proposed in our bargaining portals:

Our power comes from our solidarity: showing up in massive numbers so Management cannot ignore our demands for a strong contract that ensures equity, inclusion, safety, and livability for all at UW. EVERYONE is invited to JOIN the EQUITY IS NOT OPTIONAL RALLY on June 25 at 1 pm in Montlake Triangle. Let’s demonstrate to the UW Administration that an injury to one is an injury to all, and the UW community will not just stand by.

Let’s show the Management it’s time to throw out fearmongering and put UW workers first!

Additionally, if you can join fellow 4121 members to help with planning or phone banking for the rally, just reply to this email with “I’m in!” Now is the time to show UW that we are united against fascism and fighting for our most marginalized workers.

In solidarity,