Seattle, WA – On Thursday, May 25, members of UAW Local 4121 rallied in front of Drumheller Fountain as research scientists and postdoctorates prepare to go on strike at the University of Washington. At the rally, a strike date of June 7 was announced, and over 100 members of the union demonstrated their willingness to fight for a strong contract.

Two major demands of the bargaining team right now are around equity and pay-equity including childcare. Research scientist Tricia Wu said, “UW says they don’t have any money for childcare. Do we believe this?” The university’s administration has tried to violate state law in how it pays research scientists and postdoctorates. The university is attempting to force researchers to work for an hourly rate, rather than on salary. Many research scientists regularly use overtime to finish experiments, and the administration’s proposal would allow overtime requests to be denied even if they keep working to finish their projects – stealing their pay. Andrew Brown, a postdoctoral, said “Bargaining has slowed to a crawl because they spent so much time trying to evade the law.”

Speakers stressed the power that a strike gives workers at the university. Rebecca Bluett, a postdoctoral, said “Striking is the only option left to us.” If research scientists and postdoctorates stop working, research stops almost immediately, which damages the reputation and funding of the university. Other unions have sanctioned the strike and are likely to act in solidarity. The union has also prepared for the strike well in advance, with a strike fund to support those on the picket line, and over 50 strike captains trained. At the rally and afterwards, people signed up for shifts on the picket line. The crowd was motivated by examples from other universities, as Andrew Brown said, “After what happened in California, in Rutgers, how did they think we weren’t willing to strike?”

After the rally, the crowd marched to the administration building, occupying three floors of the building. In front of the president’s office, union members demanded a meeting with administrators, which was denied. An administrator tried to tell research scientists that she understands their concerns, while arguing for why they cannot be paid more. For the next few hours, dozens lined the halls of the building, continuing to organize ahead of the strike.

Support was not limited to those preparing to go on the picket line. Teaching assistants, student employees, and undergraduate students all attended the rally and sit-in, expressing solidarity with research scientists and postdoctoral researchers. Other members of the union not going on strike planned how they can support their fellow workers. Carlos Montes, a Chicano activist and labor organizer visiting Seattle, visited the sit-in, speaking to several union members about his own experiences. When the strike begins on June 7 preparations have been made, and the community is ready to turn out to the picket line.

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