Over 1,000 student workers at Western Washington University have formed a historic union after three years of organizing.

The state Public Employment Relations Commission certified the union for Western’s Operational Student Employees, or OSEs, on Wednesday, April 15.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that the OSEs earned increased protections last summer following a five-day strike.

But they celebrated an even bigger milestone in March when HB 1570 was signed into law, officially giving them collective bargaining rights.

“We are thrilled finally to have achieved this milestone. For years, Operational Student Employees have fought for the same union protections so many student workers at Western and in the state of Washington already enjoy. Many of us have faced years of unsafe and inequitable working conditions with no route for input on solutions, and now, like our colleagues, we will have a voice and seat at the table to change that,” said Sophia Maynard, Student Ambassador at The Foundation for WWU and Alumni.

The OSEs say their priorities for upcoming contract talks include increased wages, access to free transit and more protections for international student workers.

Western’s OSEs are made up of roughly 1,100 laborers, lifeguards, resident advisors and other student workers in non-academic positions.

They now become the first student workers in the state to be recognized as a union who perform work that isn’t directly research or instruction related.