Editor’s note: Updated at 2:13 pm on 6/2/25 to include new comments from WWU and WAWU.
BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Student workers at Western Washington University have paused their strike after five days of picketing.
Western Academic Workers United (WAWU) said on social media that the bargaining committee for Operational Student Employees, or OSEs, met with university administrators on Monday morning.
According to WAWU, the pause was prompted by state Rep. Joe Timmons.
It’s the first time in two years that the union’s bargaining committee has sat down with the university for negotiations.
After the meeting, representatives from the OSE bargaining committee told members it was the “most productive conversation with administrators thus far.” They added that they are ready to go back on strike if nothing fruitful arises from the talks.
WWU President Sabah Randhawa said in a statement that the university will continue to work with OSE representatives over the next few days to “discuss ways to address their requests and concerns.”
The OSEs – made up of roughly 1,200 laborers, lifeguards, resident advisors and other student workers in non-academic positions – are seeking for the university to recognize them as an official union.
The university claims state law doesn’t extend collective bargaining rights to student workers, but the union is asking for voluntary recognition.
