BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Educational Student Employees (ESEs) at Western Washington University (WWU) have voted to authorize a strike.

The union voted with a 93% supermajority Thursday to call for a strike if “significant progress” isn’t made in negotiations for their first contract.

ESEs include 1,100 tutors, teaching assistants, research assistants and peer advisors at WWU. They’re asking for competitive wages, partial relief from tuition and fees, stronger protections against discrimination and harassment and bereavement leave.

The union was officially formed in June 2023 and has been negotiating with university administration since September. Members of the union will meet after their next bargaining session this Monday, May 13 to discuss their next steps.