Upcoming Dates & Actions
Hello Whitman College Workers United (WCWU),
It has been amazing to see how much we all want to come together to form a stronger community and workplace! Following are updates and action items for the coming weeks.
Updates
The Board of Trustees will be on campus for their spring meeting February 25-27, 2026. This is generally the meeting where the Board votes on the budget for the following fiscal year- including changes or reductions in benefits, compensation and workforce.
Action now is imperative to prevent the administration from voting on our benefits without negotiation.
Current Staff Assessment Numbers (as of 1/29/26)
# of Staff (aka Bargaining Unit) - 227
# Assessed - 174 / 76%
# In Favor - 122 / 53%
Important Dates and Goal:
February 16th - Final Assessment Day: 90% assessed and 70 - 80% support to move forward with the card drop. Goal: 75% support by 5pm.
February 17th - Preparation Day: Organizing Committee & supporters meet to finalize plans for going public. Goal: Full OC participation, plus supportive staff.
February 18th - Drop Day & Signing Rally: Physical (preferred) and digital union cards delivered to staff for signatures. Website goes live and WCWU stages a public event. Goal: 70% (majority) signed and returned within 24 hours.
February 20th - File for Petition to Unionize: American Federation of Teachers (AFT) gathers cards and files a petition for union election with National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which manages the election process. At this point, the college cannot enact any new changes to labor. Goal: 80-90% (super majority) signed within 72 hours. (Min. 70% as the union must be led by consensus.)
February 21st - Reflection Day: Assess response and next steps; rest and celebrate our successes!
Show your support by speaking with your coworkers about the benefits of unionizing and join us on Wednesday, February 18th!
We acknowledge this is an accelerated timeline. These goals offer us the best protection from additional changes to our benefits and compensation in the short-term. When we reach a majority vote, the NLRB certifies the union and we move into bargaining!
If you would like to be involved in event planning or organizing to help reach our goals or have questions for us, please email us at wcworkersunited@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, February 18th for our Union Authorization Card Signing Rally!
In Solidarity,
Organizing Committee