Laying off the lowest paid staff at the UW during COVID-19? Unacceptable.
UW President Ana Mari Cauce
COVID-19, the greatest public health crisis in a generation, continues to unfold across our communities, state, and world, and we are all pulling together. WFSE members and our siblings in other unions who do some of the lowest-paid work are finding themselves holding our hospitals, institutions, and services together. We have set standards with agencies and elected leaders and helped our workforce adapt swiftly, mobilize supplies, and protect the most vulnerable.
In stunning contrast, however — despite sitting on an endowment of nearly $3 billion, despite being the fifth-largest employer in the state, and despite the unprecedented challenges facing all Washingtonians — the University of Washington is considering layoffs in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further, non-medical workers who cannot work from home are most likely to be workers of color or immigrants, and already struggling with wages that do not keep up with the rising cost of living. By default, laying off employees who cannot work from home further marginalizes the most vulnerable workers and disproportionately harms workers of color.
We urge you to
sign this petition telling UW President Ana Mari Cauce not to lay off any UW employees during this pandemic. Nobody can afford to lose their wages or healthcare during a public health crisis like this, and we need to stand strong together and call on the UW to live up to its responsibilities as a major employer and regional leader. UW: Do what's right!
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To:
UW President Ana Mari Cauce
From:
[Your Name]
Dedication. Courage. Rising to the occasion.
That's what WFSE members and union workers across the state are bringing to the fight against COVID-19. The lowest-paid workers in Washington are keeping healthcare, hospitals and services going at great personal risk. They deserve support, adequate supplies—and to not worry about job security at a time like this.
We ask you, why is the UW, at the epicenter of Washington State's coronavirus outbreak, still considering layoffs of critical staff?
Despite sitting on an endowment of nearly $3 billion, despite being the fifth-largest employer in the state, and despite the unprecedented challenges facing all Washingtonians — the University of Washington has not committed to stop layoffs in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Non-medical workers who cannot work from home are most likely to be workers of color or immigrants, and already struggling with wages that do not keep up with the rising cost of living. By default, laying off employees who cannot work from home further marginalizes the most vulnerable workers and disproportionately harms workers of color.
Washingtonians depend on the care you provide, now more than ever. The way we respond—the way you respond—will be remembered for generations. Do the right thing and commit to taking layoffs off the table during the pandemic.