Editors Note: This article was modified to more accurately reflect the differences between what the OSEs and ESEs were outlining in their letters, as well as to more directly and accurately specify the demands of both groups.
At 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24, a crowd of student worker protestors gathered at the steps of Old Main to deliver letters to Western Washington University President Sabah Randhawa.
The letters demanded Western’s administration recognize the operational student employees (OSEs) union, acknowledge Western’s alleged violation of a previously agreed-upon contract that would correctly classify educational student employees (ESEs) and provide wages that meet job pay classifications. The letters also call for Western to provide back pay to affected ESEs.
Operational student jobs such as clerks, laborers and tour staff are open to all students at Western. However, Western’s lack of official recognition for their union leaves them unable to bargain for workplace improvements.
“According to their current incorrect job level, they are doing basic work under direct supervision that requires little decision-making,” said Megan Ward, the first speaker of the event.
Ward and other student workers find this to be a misclassification for OSEs.
“At this very moment they are out giving tours of Western to do their job,” Ward said. “They are expected to have encyclopedic knowledge of our campus, classes and clubs. They are expected to answer any questions on the fly and entertain hundreds, if not thousands, of prospective students and their families who come to visit.”
ESEs are represented by Western Academic Workers United (WAWU), a union recognized by Western. On May 22, 2024, Western and WAWU came to a contract agreement after a two-day strike that increased the pay of ESEs, among other benefits.
However, Western’s violation of this contract means that these student workers have yet to see those benefits.
“They are not doing simple work. They are doing very difficult, very complex work, and they need to be paid appropriately and treated appropriately,” said James Booth, a teaching assistant in Western’s math department. “We’re here today to engage with [Western] respectfully, to make our voice heard, and hopefully engage in constructive dialogue,” Booth said.
With signs exhibiting slogans like “Western works because we do!” and “Fair Pay Now!,” the protesters ended at the steps of the Humanities building in Red Square. They briefly celebrated before dispersing at roughly 3 p.m.
“The surest way to fight this inaccessibility is to enshrine our right to negotiate a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and exploitation,” said Sierra Demerjian, the second speaker of the event.
Jae Ranney (they/them) is a campus news reporter for The Front this quarter. They are a second-year journalism news/ed major. When they’re not hounding you for a quote or chasing a lede, they enjoy playing the drums in their metal band, or making folk music with their guitar and banjo. You can reach them at jaeranney.thefront@gmail.com.
