PULLMAN, WA – (MyBellinghamNow.com) Washington State University (WSU) student employees ratified their first tentative union contract Thursday, making history for the university.

The vote on the contract passed by an overwhelming majority, with 99% of all Academic Student Employees (ASEs) voting “yes.” The voting took place online over the course of this week after their Jan. 17 strike ended hours after it began when WSU and the ASEs reached a tentative agreement.

Wage increases is the major change coming with the contract. For example, a PhD candidate working at the main university will receive a nearly 50% increase in their minimum salary over the course of two and a half years. Other locations will also see changes to salary based on the cost of living in that area.

The tentative contract includes but isn’t limited to:

  • Lowered healthcare costs
  • Paid vacation time off
  • Subsidization for child and dependent care costs
  • Paid parental leave
  • Protection from harassment or discrimination
  • Immigration finances paid by WSU

To read the full contractual agreement, visit the WSU Coalition of Academic Student Employees’ website.