Meet the Bargaining Committee!

I am in my second year at Western, and my second year participating in the wonderful communal project that is Western Academic Workers United. Throughout my time here I have talked to many many student employees who have had working experiences at Western that range from the frustrating to the horrifying, and I have personally experienced the harsh financial squeeze that comes with being a student employee. I want to join the bargaining committee because it is the most direct way to contribute to reducing that strain on student workers.

Beyond the financial, we need communal support networks in this working community, and we need a way to stand up for each other, particularly those of us who struggle to resist institutionalized exclusion and abuse. As a trans person, support for institutionally marginalized communities is something that affects me directly. A union like WAWU is the single best way for minority groups across the social spectrum to win necessary protections that save lives. I see joining the bargaining committee as a way to contribute to the formation of those protections, and to building a culture at WAWU that includes and encourages the efforts of everyone.

I have worked as a tutor, grader and TA in the Computer Science department. I want to increase equity and accessibility for student workers through our union.

WAWU presents Western with a unique opportunity to reestablish the value of higher education by lessening the financial burdens that currently limit or altogether prohibit the accumulation of wealth in disadvantaged populations. Contributing to this goal means so much more than making it easier to pay my own bills; if I have the opportunity to make education more accessible to those who already work above and beyond to allow this university to function, I’d be grateful. I strongly believe that Western Washington University is nonviable without the labor of ESEs and that power alone should merit the compliance of administration. Contributing to the manifestation of that power, and helping direct it towards positive change, is an incredible opportunity.

Hello! I’m Valerie Campbell, a senior undergraduate student here at WWU, and I am running for a Peer Advisor position on the bargaining committee. I joined WAWU in February and have rapidly organized my home department (Financial Aid) as well as find connections in other departments across campus. I am working behind the scenes to help run WAWU’s social media accounts and assist wherever I am needed. If elected as a member of the Bargaining Committee I wish to represent Work Study student employees and the unique struggles that we face. I envision a bargaining process where every voice is heard, and I believe we can negotiate a contract that does not compromise on justice, transparency, and equality. Western could not operate without us and it’s about time they recognized this and compensated us fairly!

Hi! I’m Erin Magarro (they/she)—a history buff, baker, lover of pop culture—and most importantly a proud member of WAWU. Since joining the effort in September 2022, me and my coworkers have successfully organized the majority of the Tutoring Center to sign in support of WAWU’s formation. Working consistently as a member of the OC (organizing committee) has brought me in community with student workers who love this campus enough to critique and improve it. Their spirit has steadily treated my nihilism and empowered me to seek membership on the bargaining committee (BC). As part of the BC I look forward to winning us wages that reflect rise in inflation, hourly guarantees, and an ameliorated Title IX processes. There is no excuse for the Title IX office to lose reports of harassment and leave the most vulnerable members of our community without a voice. My experience as a non-binary person of color in our community is a crucial perspective to have on a bargaining committee where issues of anti-racism, prevention of harassment, and discrimination will be addressed. A strong union is a community of support, and as a member of the bargaining committee I will continue to fight to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of our WWU community.

Hi, I’m Gabe. I became involved in WAWU this January, but I had been hearing about WAWU since last spring. I got involved when I found out that WAWU is about uniting lots of kinds student workers. When I realized this, I was enchanted by the prospect of real shared governance at Western, a first step towards forcing Western to address the needs of its student workers.
Over the past two months talking to you, my peers, I know you want change. I hope that I can inspire and organize us to raise our expectations and to reach them by making clear and strong demands.
I’m seeking a position on the bargaining committee because I want to look Western’s administrators in the eyes, make demands, and know that they have to listen not because of who I am, but because of the collective power of student workers — because we keep Western running.
In my year and a half at Western, I have been strongly involved in Shred the Contract, and last spring I was elected as a Student Senator. These experiences have showed me that administrators don’t respond to strong arguments and rhetoric, the language they speak is power.
Together we have power, together Western must listen to us. I hope you choose me to channel our power.

When I attended the first bargaining session this fall to be on the notetaking team, I was so inspired by the bargaining committee members’ knowledge, work ethic, and courage.  It was then that I realized just how much power we have to make substantial improvements to student employees’ quality of life at Western.  I will do my absolute best to represent you and your needs, while holding the administration accountable.

I have no prior experience organizing or supporting union effort but am so proud to be a part of WAWU. I am hoping that WAWU is able to make WWU a better place not only for academic workers, but for students overall. During my time on the bargaining committee, I want to focus my efforts on disability advocation, a livable wage and benefits. My goal is to keep an open line of communication with the University to talk about problems that academic workers and students are facing.
If you ever see me at the library always feel welcome to come say hi! My passions are Stardew Valley (as well as other video games), reading, makeup, diamond painting and other crafts. I identify as a Sapphic leaning Bisexual and Demisexual, and use She/They pronouns.

Unionization and collective bargaining are important for resisting the dehumanizing practices of corporate policies/strategies. I’ll be a teacher one day, and it would be good to have more experience before joining that particular union.

I believe that the most impactful change happens through empathy, clear communication, and a willingness to see issues from all possible perspectives. As a tutor, undeclared psychology major, and self-proclaimed “dude-who-really-enjoys-Logic,” I think that I have a lot of useful skills that would strengthen the BC. I also want to pursue any opportunity that would give me more experience in crafting arguments and effective communication

Hi all! Since starting my undergrad degree at Western in 2019, I’ve been looking for ways to cultivate community and belonging. Feeling seen and respected by our university and employer is a huge piece of having a positive college experience. Collectively bargaining for better working conditions and benefits can improve our physical and mental health, social lives, academics, and ability to do our jobs! I’ve only been a member of WAWU for a few weeks. I have endless amounts to learn about the logistics of unionizing and bargaining. However, I’m committed to the process and would be honored to represent you in securing our demands!
I currently work as a peer advisor in the Academic Advising Center, a teaching assistant in the Biology Department, and a research assistant in the Health and Human Development Department. I’m passionate about access to mental health services, community resilience, and love working with kids. I’m also a huge fan of reality TV dating shows, making art, and chilling with my cat. Look forward to getting to know each of you better, and thank you for the opportunity!

You deserve transparency, reliability and fair compensation for your work. Western won’t provide these basic rights until we hold them accountable.
I’ve worked as a Physics TA for 3 years after a year working in my community college’s tutoring center. My involvement in worker organizing started in September when I shared my story at the first monthly membership meeting. Since then I have collected authorization cards, organized physics worker meetings, attended weekly committee meetings and traveled to Olympia to lobby for our bills to state senators and representatives. I regularly devote at least 6 hours a week to building a powerful network of workers at WWU.
I will show up at the bargaining table prepared to put my foot down, be a broken record and make impactful changes to the way Western treats their workers across campus.

First and foremost, I aim to be an advocate for the students and student employees of Western, and I hope to bring not my voice but the voice and input of the students and community members to ensure that they receive representation and have their thoughts and views heard. I am a strong advocate for transparency and safety on campus, especially in terms of university policy and training practices, and I have experience managing and training from a decade in the service industry as well as experience in academia from my current position as Makerspace Student Manager of the STC and receiving schooling from multiple colleges and universities over the years. I’ve minored in business administration and have first hand experience establishing my own side businesses and working with others to train them and bring them into the operation of those businesses, and my main goals are to expand upon that experience and offer aid and advice to whoever needs it, however they may need it, in pursuit of fair and equitable representation for all students and student employees across campus.

My name’s Willa, I use she/her pronouns, and I am a graduate student in Geology with a TA position in Science, Math, and Technology Education (SMATE). I’m one of over 1000 student employees doing a lot of the educational labor that makes Western run, and I’m grateful to represent our unit on the bargaining committee. I am focused on holding the university accountable to their stated value of a “Commitment to equity and justice, and respect for the rights and dignity of others”. The university has a lot of catching up to do in providing us with a living wage and basic rights and protections as workers, and a good first contract for our union would see Western finally walking the walk on equity and justice. Through my year and half organizing with WAWU I’ve learned so much about building community and power. I’m inspired by the leadership and care found in every department, and I’m committed to representing every voice in our negotiation process.