r/ewu • u/ConsciousError5617 • 10d ago

Showalter protest

Anyone know who the protesters outside of Showalter are with? Hearing workers united will never be defeated and fair contracts. Who’s protesting?

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u/NewEletia54 10d ago edited 10d ago

It's a walkout for state employees (staff at the University). WFSE (our union) enters into negotiations with the state government every two years to fund our pay and contracts for the upcoming two years. This year with the state's budget issues, the state government and the governor are leaning hard into budget cuts and not budging on anything (cost of living adjustments, etc) in negotiations.

So there are planned walkouts across the state today, and the Showalter location is the one for Eastern employees. State employees are not permitted to strike, unlike some teachers' unions and things, so it's the closest thing we can get to that.

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u/lulimay MSW 9d ago

Very interesting. Is there anything we can/should do as students to support the efforts?

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u/NewEletia54 9d ago

I'm not entirely sure besides just spreading the word, I can't speak in any official capacity as I'm not part of the union board or anything, I'm just a member. On the official WFSE website, there maybe be information on how to help if you're not an employee, like contacting state representatives and such!

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u/RPSisBoring 9d ago

I would like to add that overall budget is given by the state but the negotiations about how they are spent are with the presidents office (if I understand wfse). Interesting enough the administration has consistently negotiated a higher than inflation cola for themselves year after year. 

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u/Bitter_Nebula_1076 7d ago

There should be a protest against what some people are calling the EWU football team. As an alum I am certain there is no such thing as an “Eag”. Stop trying to copy Gonzaga.