WSU and UAW Contract Ratified for Academic Student Employees

See Collective Bargaining Agreement (Tentative Agreement) for details.
WSU and the UAW are partnering on implementation actions. Additional information information forthcoming.

On November 9, 2022 the Public Employee Relations Commission issued an Interim Decision identifying Academic Student Employees (ASE) at WSU had selected the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) as their union representative. ASE’s at WSU are eligible for representation and bargaining under RCW 41.56.205.

Representation FAQs

  1. Are all student employees in the bargaining unit?
  2. Who is included in this bargaining unit? (What is an ASE?)
  3. Are Faculty/Staff allowed to provide their personal opinions on the process?
  4. Can I offer my current ASE’s raises, bonuses, or other financial incentives before negotiations finish?
  5. How are groups like the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) and the Student Health Insurance Advisory Board (SHIAB) impacted?

1. Are all student employees in the bargaining unit?

No, Graduate students on an Assistantship and certain temporary hourly employees, including both graduate and undergraduate employees perform functions as noted below. Based on clarification received early this year on employee inclusion, WSU is now working with the Public Employee Relations Commission (PERC) and the UAW to determine which temporary hourly employees may be included in the bargaining unit.*

[Back to Top]

2. Who is included in this bargaining unit? (What is an ASE?)

All employees enrolled in academic programs and employed by the Washington State University in the following classifications: Graduate Teaching Assistant; Graduate Staff Assistant; Graduate Project Assistant; Graduate Veterinary Assistant; Tutor, Reader and/or Grader in all academic units and tutoring centers; Graduate Research Assistant, and any other student employees whose duties and responsibilities are substantially equivalent to those employees in the described positions.

At this time known classifications include:

  • 175-NN Graduate Summer Work
  • 176-NN Graduate Student Teaching AY
  • 9901-NN Teaching Assistant – Graduate
  • 9903-NN Research Assistant – Graduate
  • 9904-NN Project Assistant –Graduate
  • 9905-NN Staff Assistant – Graduate
  • 9906-NN Veterinary Assistant – Graduate
  • 9971-NN Summer Research Assistant – Graduate

WSU is reviewing a fall 22 employee snapshot report of the duties of each temporary hourly position in the Lecture, Preceptor, Technical Assistant and Clerical Assistant series for which “job description” meets the criteria of “Tutor, Reader and/or Grader in all academic units and tutoring centers and any other student employees whose duties and responsibilities are substantially equivalent to those employees in the described positions”.

Once the parties come to agreement on student hourly position inclusion WSU Labor Relations will provide further guidance as to the creation of new student hourly classifications and the reclassification of employees who meet the duties associated with noted inclusions.

WSU/UAW Resources

WSU/UAW Main Page
ASE Contract
ASE Contract Resources
Contract Implementation FAQ

UPDATE December 2023: From the Fall 22 snapshot of positions WSU reviewed. 600-700 been identified as potentially meeting the tutor, grader, reader and duties substantially equivalent to those employees in the described positions [graduate assistantships]. WSU and the UAW continue to review positions they have yet to agree on inclusion/exclusion.

[Back to Top]

3. Are faculty/staff allowed to provide their personal opinions on the process?

It is important to allow employees who have chosen to organize to do so as they chose without interference, restraint, or coercion from the employer. The group is now represented, therefore the employer must now negotiate directly with the Union and may not directly deal with the represented employee on matters that fall within the scope of mandatory subjects of bargaining, such as wages, hours and working conditions. While thoughtfulness is always encouraged when discussing a person’s representation choice, faculty and staff may express their opinions. However, it is important that personnel in their roles as faculty and staff consider the appropriateness and the context in which, they are making statements.

[Back to Top]

4. Can I offer my current ASE’s raises, bonuses, or other financial incentives before negotiations finish?

The group is now represented, therefore the employer must now only negotiate directly with the Union and may not directly deal with the represented employee on changes to matters that fall within the scope of mandatory subjects of bargaining, such as wages hours and working conditions.  If you identify any potential unit or department wide matters that may include a request to modify wages hours and/or working conditions for the newly represented employees please contact HRS Labor Relations hrs.labor@wsu.edu  before making the change.

[Back to Top]

5. How are groups like the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) and the Student Health Insurance Advisory Board (SHIAB) impacted?

WSU met with UAW leadership and they indicated groups like the GPSA, ASWSU and SHIAB continue to serve a similar function in advocating as they did prior to the certification of the bargaining unit. These groups represent more individuals than those who are now represented and continue to be a valuable asset to the University community. However, the role is more of an advisory one now for represented employees.

[Back to Top]