By an overwhelming majority, the Academic Student Employees union at the University of Washington approved a strike if it cannot reach a contract with school administrators.
The vote came after an impasse during tense negotiations with the university over issues such as pay and student fees and the rising cost of living in Seattle. The ASE, whose members include graduate student researchers and teaching aides, has 4000 members. Of the 2,258 votes cast, 90 percent favored a strike authorization, ASE representatives said.
“The vote clearly shows that we want the University to meet our demands and reach a fair contract now,” Liz Mills, Bargaining Committee member, said in a prepared statement. “Our members were not intimidated by the University’s attempts to discourage them from voting, and want them to get serious about reaching a contract that addresses our key demands.”
