Contact your Washington State Representative

The 2019 State legislative session is in progress. The University of Washington receives financial support from Washington State. Important decisions are being made about funding and other matters affecting the UW over the next fiscal year. The elected officials who represent you are debating these issues right now, and they want to know what is important to their constituents (including progress toward reaching agreement on our first contract).

Here, you’ll find resources for communicating with your local representative. While a small action for each person, collectively we will send a powerful message.

  1. Send an email to your representative
  2. Call your representative’s office

SEND AN EMAIL TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE

Write to your legislator now and ask them to hold the University administration accountable in bargaining a fair contract by the end of April.

First, introduce yourself as a constituent, including your role or relationship with Postdocs at UW. For example:

  • My name is Dr. X. I live in your district and work as Postdoctoral Research Scholar at the University of Washington in the Department of Y.

or, if you are a Postdoc supporter:

  • My name is X. I live in your district and have watched the Postdoctoral Research Scholars at the University of Washington struggle to finalize a collective bargaining agreement with university administration.

Key Points to highlight (or feel free to copy and paste the entirety as your letter):

  • As you are deciding on state allocations for the University of Washington, we fully support providing as much funding as possible. But with your financial support comes the opportunity to create accountability. I urge you to do whatever is in your power to ensure the University of Washington is held accountable to its employees, specifically by reaching a contract that will bring Postdoc working conditions to national standards on several key issues by the end of the legislative session.
  • Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda has organized a work session about our contract campaign, with a focus on harassment and discrimination experienced by Postdocs at UW – on May 8, 5:30pm, at the University Friends’ Center. I encourage you to attend this session in person, or to send an aide in your place.
  • After obtaining a PhD, graduates often work as Postdoctoral Research Scholars. The Postdoc role is by definition a brief one, typically lasting 1-5 years, leading to a senior position in Academia, Policy, or Industry. In this transitional period, Postdoc employees are a vulnerable workforce. Because supports for Postdocs are not standardized across campus, these can vary across and even within departments.
  • In May 2018, UW Postdocs voted Yes to form a union with a 90% majority and over 60% participation from eligible voters. Since June, the collective bargaining committee has engaged in 20 meetings (as of April 16, 2019) to negotiate with UW Admin. While 27 articles have been agreed upon, UW Admin has moved too slowly on key Union proposals for salary and benefits, and support for Postdoc parents (including parental leave and childcare).
  • Moreover, UW Admin has ignored the Union’s recommendations addressing and reducing discrimination and harassment, even though they are taken from the specific recommendations of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine – a report that found the prevalence of harassment and discrimination in US academia is second only to the military, outpacing that of industry and government. This is a real threat to the wellbeing of Postdocs: in a recent survey, 63% of women and non-binary Postdocs reported experiencing discrimination or harassment while at UW. More alarmingly, those who relayed these experiences through the appropriate channels reported feeling less confident in the system than others.
  • A year of bargaining over a first contract is unacceptable. Swift resolution of bargaining is necessary for the safety and equitable treatment of UW Postdocs. By reaching an agreement on these issues, the University of Washington would guarantee that it remains competitive in the recruitment and retention of talented Postdocs, many of whom also reside in your legislative district. Please use whatever means are available to you to hold the University administration accountable.

Sign your letter with your full name, address, and Zip Code. If you feel comfortable, consider including a personal message on how a lack of contract has impacted you.

CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE’S OFFICE

Call your legislator’s office now and ask them to hold the University administration accountable in bargaining a fair contract by the end of April.

  • District 46: Call the office of Senator David Frockt: (360) 786-7690.
  • District 43: Call the office of Speaker of the House Frank Chopp: (360) 786-7920.
  • Not sure, or live in another district? Find your representative here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/

Key Points to highlight (or feel free to read these points verbatim):

  • My name is Dr. [Name]. I live in your District. I am a Postdoctoral Scholar at UW doing research on [Research Theme or Department].
  • While you’re discussing state budget allocations for UW in Olympia, Postdocs fully support providing as much funding as possible. But your financial decisions provide an opportunity to enforce accountability on the part of the University.
  • We have been bargaining for a year and we need the University to finish contract negotiations by the end of this legislative session. This will ensure fair terms for all Postdocs and address sexual harassment, inconsistent health care, and economic insecurity.
  • Please use whatever means are available to you to hold the University administration accountable.
  • Seattle City Councilmember Mosqueda [mos-KEH-dah] has organized a work session about our contract campaign – with a focus on harassment and discrimination. It will take place on May 8 at 5:30pm, at the University Friends’ Center. I encourage you to attend this session in person, or to send an aide in your place.
  • Thank you for your time and attention.

Once you’ve taken action by emailing and/or calling your representative, encourage a friend to do the same!