UW librarians avoid strike after contract agreement reached

Update 8:17 a.m.:

The University of Washington librarians and staff were planning to go on strike Wednesday at 9 a.m., but thanks to a last-minute contract announced at 6:38 a.m. on Twitter the strike will not be happening.

TA Reached with @UW!🎉 Our strike is called off. Please report to work as you normally would, and be sure to join our Victory Rally on the Suzzallo Steps at 12pm today! #StrongerTogether #UWlibrarySTRIKE #UnionsForAll #RespectProtectPayUS @SEIU925 pic.twitter.com/G2UM79yJS4

— UW Libraries Union (@UWLibUnion) January 25, 2023

The Seattle Times reports the library staff has been bargaining since June of 2021 with the university, asking for a living wage and more resources to serve the community.

A UW spokesperson said the university had requested a mediator to join negotiations and that tentative agreements have been reached on several aspects of the contract.

They are having a celebration rally at noon today.

Original 1/13/2022 9:07 a.m.:

Later this month, students at the University of Washington might have to navigate the library system on their own after the union for the library staff announced they will go on strike starting Jan 25 if a contract isn’t reached with the university.

Members of Service Employees International Union Local 925, which represents 130 librarians and press workers at the university, say library staff is asking for a living wage and the resources to better serve the UW educational community.

UW librarians go on strike over insufficient pay

Library staff formed a union in June 2021 and have been negotiating a contract ever since.

We’re excited to be voicing UW Libraries Union’s demands to the @UW Board of Regent’s RIGHT NOW during public comment. We are loud and proud!!! #StrongerTogether #seiu925 #strikeauthorized

— UW Libraries Union (@UWLibUnion) January 12, 2023

The union representing the employees says this is due to contract negotiations, issues about pay, a demand for equal protection for professional staff and academic librarians, and more administrative action on anti-racism goals.

They had a one-day strike back in October and, in November, authorized their union to call an open-ended strike if negotiations continue to stall.

The last scheduled day of bargaining is Jan. 24.