Concerning collective bargaining for certain employees who are enrolled in academic programs at public institutions of higher education.

Western Washington student workers gain limited bargaining

Beginning March 18, 2026, specified nonacademic student workers at Western Washington University gain the right to bargain as a group. They form an appropriate bargaining unit under Washington's public-sector bargaining law. Workers must be enrolled in an academic or certificate program on any university campus. Covered jobs include advertising assistant, community service center coordinator, computer assistant, crafts lab assistant, customer service representative, event assistant, media assistant, percussion area coordinator, program support staff, program support/committee student representative, writer/editor, Viking Union building manager, resident advisor, apartment advisor, and inclusion assistant. Jobs with substantially equivalent duties also qualify, but computer assistants in the student technology center are excluded. During winter, spring, or summer breaks, workers remain covered if employed during the break and enrolled in the term immediately before or after it. Workers already eligible under chapters 41.56, 28B.52, 41.76, or 41.80 RCW are excluded. The law also does not cover employees excluded by RCW 41.56.401(1)(a) through (e). Bargaining cannot cover firing for failing university academic requirements, tuition or fee amounts, the academic calendar, or class admission numbers. Tuition or fee remission and waivers remain open to bargaining. Agreement pay terms cannot exceed amounts or percentages set in the state budget, though the university can provide additional compensation. If a budget change affects a pay term, both sides must immediately bargain for a mutually agreed replacement.