9/3 Bargaining Recap: UW proposes WEAK Immigration Protections

Sep 4, 2026 | 2026 RS Bargaining, Membership Updates, PD bargaining updates

UW Research Staff and Postdocs are fighting to make sure that University of Washington is a safe and equitable workplace for everyone! While UAW members propose strengthening protections and rights, UW Admin instead finds all kinds of excuses, seeking to appease the Trump administration while rejecting or weakening our proposals.

RSVP RIGHT NOW for the March on the Boss on Wednesday, September 23 at 12 PM at Drumheller Fountain (UPDATED LOCATION) and bring your coworkers along as well! As we continue to escalate our actions, members are pledging to Vote Yes in a future Strike Authorization Vote. By showing up in massive numbers, UW researchers will demonstrate to UW Admin that these protections are NON NEGOTIABLE!

RSVP to the March on the Boss!
and Pledge to Vote Yes for a Strike Authorization

Join You Union

Immigration and Visa Sponsorship

  • After three whole months, UW Admin finally responded to our proposal to expand protections for international workers, but is still refusing to engage on critical protections. With increased ICE activity seen across Washington and problems entering the US, it is more important now than ever that Research Staff have clear protections and job securities in place.
  • UW Admin has REFUSED to include any language in their proposal that:
    • Ensures that UW maintains Immigration data privacy
    • UW does not cooperate with ICE agents on University premises unless legally required
    • Provides job security for Research Staff that are detained, deported, or are temporarily denied entry to the US
    • Allows telework for eligible Research Staff that are temporarily denied re-entry to the US
    • Provides financial support to UW Researchers going through immigration crises

To stay up-to-date on the specific language in our proposals and exchanges, you can check the bargaining portal here.

At this point, BOTH Research Staff and Postdoc contracts are expired. UW Admin’s time is up. Justice delayed is justice denied. UW Researchers need fair contractsnow for our rights, our research, and our future. Thousands of UAW members united in action builds power to win the contracts we deserve so RSVP for the March on the Boss and ask all of your colleagues to march with you!

In solidarity,

Your Bargaining Team

Iván Cruz

Tess Grover

KeliAnne Hara-Hubbard

Evan Howard

Jessamy Johnson

Lucas O’Bryan

N. Shane Patrick

Gracy Shaw

Natalie Wellen