WWU student employee union officially certified after years of strikes, advocacy
Western Washington University’s Operational Student Employees’ (OSEs) union was officially certified on Wednesday after years of strikes and legislative advocacy.
WWU OSEs are student workers who perform operational work, serving in roles such as resident advisers, program support staff, recreation assistants, clerks, laborers, lifeguards, assistants, attendees, publication editors and as employees in the campus daycare center, library and food pantry. The union represents about 1,000 student employees.
“We are thrilled finally to have achieved this milestone,” said WWU political science student and ambassador Sophia Maynard in an announcement. “For years, Operational Student Employees have fought for the same union protections so many student workers at Western and in the state of Washington already enjoy. Many of us have faced years of unsafe and inequitable working conditions with no route for input on solutions, and now, like our colleagues, we will have a voice and seat at the table to change that.”
The group is the first unionized student worker group who perform work that isn’t directly research- or instruction-related in Washington state to win a union after state law SHB 1570, enacted on March 18, enshrined their collective bargaining rights.
“Western Washington University supports the intent and passage of SHB 1570, which helps ensure parity and consistency for all student employees,” WWU Communications Director John Thompson told The Bellingham Herald. “We value the important contributions student employees make to our campus community and remain committed to fostering a fair, supportive, and collaborative work environment for every student who works at Western.”
OSEs have been arguing that their group is unionized for years after its members voted for representation. WWU administrators have consistently said they would not formally recognize the union until legislation was passed.
State Rep. Joe Timmons of Bellingham was the bill’s primary sponsor. He called Wednesday’s certification an “important milestone” for WWU student employees and told The Herald he believes it sets a “thoughtful and balanced approach” for other universities and students across Washington interested in similar efforts.
“With the passage of SHB 1570, we made sure that operational student employees, the students that help keep Western’s campus running every day, have the same opportunity to collectively bargain as academic student employees at WWU,” Rep. Timmons said.
“This is about parity and fairness, and recognizing the value of all student work on campus. These students contribute in meaningful ways to the day-to-day operations of the university, and they deserve a voice in their working conditions.”
Union representatives called the legislation “groundbreaking” for student workers across Washington and the nation.
“Operational Student Employees at Western Washington University have demonstrated incredible determination to form a union to improve their workplace and create a more accessible higher education — even working to pass legislation to secure their union rights. The UAW stands ready to support their efforts to bargain a great contract, and strengthen the labor movement,” UAW Region 6 Director Mike Miller said in an announcement.
The Bellingham City Council sent a letter of support for the OSE’s union to the university last May, urging the university to voluntarily recognize the Operational Student Employees, regardless of legislation.
“We believe that the Operational Student Employees-the more than one thousand Bellingham workers who help the university function and meet its vital public charge-deserve a voice in the future of their work and the university,” the letter states.
OSEs are now officially represented by WAWU-UAW (Local 4929), which also represents WWU Educational Student Employees (ESEs). As OSEs head to the bargaining table for the first time, their priorities for their upcoming contract include:
- Raising wages.
- Securing access to free transportation.
- Providing support and training for students whose jobs expose them to “potentially traumatic” crises.
- Strengthening protections for international student workers.
This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 2:37 PM.
