UW Libraries & Press Workers, SEIU 925

04/03/2026

Thanks for the great coverage Stranger 🗞 about our walkout. 👏

Meanwhile,
keeps showing up with unserious, lowball compensation offers—while sitting on billions in discretionary funds. 💸

Workers make UW run. We power the research, teaching, and community service that the university brags about. UW and its libraries are ranked top 10 in the nation… yet our compensation ranks in the bottom 10 among peer institutions and regional libraries.

And all this as Seattle/Tacoma’s cost of living is among the highest in the country. 📈



LaboreWashington State Labor Council, AFL-CIOhePierce County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIOwThe Daily UWbrUniversity of Washington@mUW Librariesio

04/01/2026

We are grateful for the overwhelming support that has been shown for us by our elected representatives!

03/27/2026

Solidarity looks like showing up. 📢Join the UW Libraries and Press Workers Monday, 3/30 at 1pm in Red Square as we rally for a FAIR CONTRACT. We are facing continued pushback from UW administration during contract negotiations on fair compensation, DEI protections, and equity. We are calling upon all community allies to show up.
See you there!!! ✊✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿💜
.yell

03/18/2026

🍀 Feeling lucky? We sure are—to have each other! Today, UW Libraries & Press workers joined together for a unity break to celebrate our union. ☘️

But let’s be real: We can’t live on luck alone. While the University is sitting on a pot of gold (their reserve discretionary budgets grew by $1 BILLION during bargaining!), we’re still waiting for our fair share.

We’re searching for a raise, not an illusive rainbow. 🌈Our contract expired on 1/31 and UW management is hoarding the gold while:
❌ Offering lowball “raises” as inflation soars
❌ Forcing staff to move far from campus or work multiple jobs
❌ Stalling on protections for DEI and fair layoff policies

When library workers can’t make ends meet, students and research suffer. 📚

☘️ We want our “pot of gold”—and by that, we mean a just wage, real equity, and strong protections in our contract. Not a wish, but a guarantee.

📢 Calling on UW: Stop hoarding the treasure and come to the table! We want our fair share.

📝 Stand with us! Sign our community letter demanding a fair contract.
🔗 Link in bio to sign
🔗 Tap the link above to sign

02/21/2026

The fight for a fair contract continues! 🚨

Great piece in highlighting our fight for parental leave protections, clear promotions, and preserving DEI language in our contract.

UW says they want a “fair agreement.” We’re ready to sign one as soon as they show us a proposal that matches that promise!

Check out the coverage 👇
tinyurl.com/UWLU-UWDaily
Sign our petition! (Link in bio)
unionpress .mlklabor

02/07/2026

BREAKING DOWN THE MYTH: UW IS NOT BROKE.

The financial reports are in, and the numbers tell a clear story of abundance, not scarcity.

💰 $1.999 BILLION in Unrestricted Funds
These are dollars UW can use for ANY purpose tied to its mission—including wages, staffing, and retention.
• Increased by 52% in just two years (+$956 million since 2023).
• These are NOT endowments. They are NOT restricted by donors or grants.

📈 $1.3 BILLION in Net Income (FY 2025)
After ALL expenses—salaries, construction, operations—UW had $1.3 BILLION more in revenue than expenses.
For working people, that's what you call money left over.

💵 Plenty of Cash on Hand
• Academics & Administration: $62 million in cash.
• Including Medical & Real Estate: $163 million in cash.

There is MORE than enough to:
✔️ Fund fair wage increases at the bargaining table for Libraries and Press workers and all other 925
represented workers bargaining this year

✔️ IMMEDIATELY COVER the full Merit Pay Settlement for Advising & Continuum College Staff (~$2 million total, ordered by PERC in 2025).

THE NARRATIVE: "UW can't afford it."
THE REALITY: UW is making choices.

When they say there's no money for fair pay, merit settlements, retention, or respect for staff... the official financial reports say otherwise.

This isn't about scarcity. It's about priorities.

UW

Source: University of Washington Public 2025 Financial Report. All figures from UW's own statements.
University of Washington AFSCME / WFSE LOCAL 1488--SEATTLE WA SEIU Local 925 Washington State Labor Council MLK Labor UAW Local 4121 The STAND KUOW Public Radio The Stranger

02/05/2026

Thanks for sharing this, The STAND! Solidarity! 💜💜💜💜

UW library & press workers with SEIU Local 925 are 4 mo. into contract talks, seeking livable wages & layoff protections. With their contract expired & UW offering a 1% raise over 3 yrs, workers are asking community to help pressure UW to negotiate in good faith

https://ow.ly/WNUV50Y8T7J