SEIU 925 newsletter

Vol. II
No. 1
JAN/FEB 2017

Governor Jay Inslee addresses SEIU 925 members at the 2016 Lobby Day

Funding for Our New Contract is Threatened - Take Action on Presidents Day!
We worked very hard to win a new contract. After months of tough negotiations where we stood
together and didnt back down, we won three wage increases (2% each) for all UW classified staff
over the life of our two-year contract. We also won upgrades for 20% of our unit.

Our raises, set to go into effect July 1, are in danger. Right wing budget leaders in the state senate
called our raises a luxury and have yet to come up with any proposal to fund our contract. We
need to hold them accountable to those of us who work hard, every day, to make the University of
Washington the world-class institution it is. UW works because we do!

Corporations have always had a voice in Olympia; two years ago, the same senate leaders tried
to give Microsoft and Boeing tax breaks with the money for our raises.

Its time to stand up and fight.

On Monday, February 20, SEIU 925 and WFSE 1488 members are hopping on union buses and
flooding Olympia to tell legislators to fund our contract! We are only as strong as the unity we can
show by standing together at the state Capitol.

Will you join your fellow UW employees in Olympia to fight for our raises, healthcare, vacation,
and everything else we bargained so hard to win?

Please feel free to bring friends and family. You can register yourself and guests here:
http://925.seiu.org/page/s/UW2017LobbyDay

As our contract bargaining efforts showed us when we fight, we win!

www.SEIU925.org | 206.322.3010
Standing Strong for Affordability

UPASS, Child Care, and Housing A Victory on the UPASS

Together, we can make a huge difference for UW
employees, the U District, and our communities.
Since September, SEIU 925 members have met
with Seattle City Councilmembers, testified at
public hearings, and rallied or picketed to demon-
strate that the U District needs to be an affordable
place for UW employees to work and live.
Our SEIU and WFSE 1488 sisters and brothers
have shared stories of crushing housing costs, long Lets keep the pressure on!
commutes to work, and thousands of dollars in
child care expenses.
UW management has agreed to not increase the
cost of the UPASS this coming July! They even
thanked our unions for making them restructure
the UPASS program and cut overhead costs, and
asked for our help in negotiating with Metro over
rates that UW pays for fares.
We let them know no increase is a great start, but
that we still demand a more affordable UPASS.

SEIU 925, WFSE 1488 and the U District Alliance for Equity & Livability held a rally and picket outside the future U District Light Rail
Station calling on the University of Washington to do more for affordable transit and housing.

Development With Equity

At a recent hearing, Seattle City Council delayed
voting on the U District upzone plan after UW em-
ployees, community members, housing advocates,
and others raised concerns about the impact of
development on UW, its workers, and surrounding
community.

Our actions and stories are making a difference!

Several councilmembers proposed amendments to

Vicky Gift, PFS at UW testifies in front of the Seattle City Council
Planning, Land Use & Zoning Committee
The UW has a responsibility to help employees
with affordable housing, child care, and low-cost
transit options as it seeks to expand development
in the U District. SEIU 925 and WFSE 1488 mem-
bers have rallied, testified at hearings, and met
with city lawmakers in an effort to change how
development impacts workers in the U District.
increase affordable housing in the neighborhood,
fund a study for accessible child care, and exam-
ine the racial and ethnic disparities in the Citys
development plans.
Stay tuned for more ways to take action and make
sure any development in the U District is fair and
equitable.

www.SEIU925.org | 206.322.3010