What are the opening hours?

Monday 10am - 4:45pm Tuesday 10am - 4:45pm Wednesday 10am - 7:45pm Thursday 10am - 4:45pm Friday 10am - 4:45pm

Labor Archives of Washington, UW Special Collections

Home
United States
Seattle, WA
Labor Archives of Washington, UW Special Collections

Mission: Collect, preserve & make accessible historical records of working people in the Pacific Northwest

09/08/2026

Happy (September) Labor Day, all! Here’s a video on the history of the two days celebrating labor and workers: Labor Day (the first Monday in September in the US and Canada) and International Workers Day (May 1 throughout the world). They both have their origins in US labor history! Thanks to MLK Labor for creating this video, which ties into the collaborative exhibit!

09/03/2026

Doggoned! We planned on posting a list of these pups for National Dog Day last week, but it somehow didn't post in the dog days of summer. (Original text below)
Happy National Dog Day! We're celebrating by highlighting some canine members of SEIU families in Washington!
Interested in learning more about the history of SEIU? The Labor Archives has recently published series of oral history interviews with labor activists from SEIU 925 and 1199. Learn about the history of organizing healthcare workers and classified staff at UW!

08/20/2026

For American Artist Appreciation Month, we’re shining a spotlight on the Tomás Ybarra-Frausto photograph collection.
A former UW professor of Romance Languages and Literature, Ybarra-Frausto dedicated his career to documenting Chicano culture and history across the Pacific Northwest—from theater and dance to student movements and farmworker associations.
These powerful images transport us to 1972, capturing a performance by Teatro del Piojo at the U.S. Penitentiary on McNeil Island in Steilacoom, WA. A striking reminder that art thrives even in the most unexpected places. 🎭
📸: UW Special Collections (SOC3349, SOC3366, SOC3353, SOC3350 - edited)
University of Washington Libraries Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies MLK Labor Washington State Labor Council Pierce County Central Labor Council Thurston Lewis Mason Central Labor Council - TLM CLC Labor Heritage Foundation
Southwest Washington Central Labor Council Spokane Regional Labor Council NorthWest Washington Central Labor Council Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Central Labor Council

08/17/2026

Happy American Artist Appreciation Month! 🎨

To celebrate this we’re highlighting labor-focused printmaker Richard V. Correll—and giving you a sneak peek at new materials donated to us earlier this year.

Correll grew up in OR/CA, moved to Seattle during the Great Depression, worked for the Federal Art Project, and co-founded the Washington Artists' Union. He later lived in NYC and SF, and was a longtime member of the Graphic Arts Workshop—a progressive activist collective that shared studio space and championed social justice through art. He passed away in 1990.

Special thanks to .cushing for the most recent donation!
🖼️ Swipe through for:
(2) Untitled sketch
(3) “Let ‘Em Eat Demagogy”
(4) “Stockade For 5"

Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries University of Washington Libraries Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies MLK Labor Washington State Labor Council Pierce County Central Labor Council Thurston Lewis Mason Central Labor Council - TLM CLC
Labor Heritage Foundation Southwest Washington Central Labor Council Spokane Regional Labor Council NorthWest Washington Central Labor Council Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Central Labor Council

08/06/2026

Today!
Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies presents 'Rights on the Line' research on migrant fishers in Washington state
Our research team is proud to present findings from our new project "Rights on the Line: Policy and Regulatory Gaps Affecting Migrant Fishers in Washington State Ports" on Thursday, August 6th from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the Petersen Room of the Allen Library (4000 15th Ave NE Seattle, WA 98195, room 485) on the University of Washington Seattle campus.
After a short presentation on our research findings, we will have a panel featuring workers' rights and safety advocates including Senator Rebecca Saldaña. We will have light refreshments and an opportunity to engage with researchers and panelists.
RSVPS are requested, but not required. RSVP through the link in our bio or visit: tinyurl.com/mpu4vfav. Cosponsored by Labor Archives of Washington, UW Special Collections

07/23/2026

Happy and Happy Disability Pride Month! ✊♿️

This month, we want to shine the spotlight on YOU.

At the Labor Archives, we recognize there is a major gap in our collections when it comes to the stories of workers with disabilities and the crucial intersection of the labor movement and disability rights. These narratives are vital to our history, and they are currently underrepresented.

We need your help to change that!

📢 Share your story with us! Whether you are a worker, an activist, or an ally, we want to hear from you.

📄 Preserve your records! Help us take steps to ensure that future generations have access to the history of disability pride in the workplace.

Let’s fill this gap together.

University of Washington Libraries Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies MLK Labor Washington State Labor Council Pierce County Central Labor Council Thurston Lewis Mason Central Labor Council - TLM CLC Labor Heritage Foundation Southwest Washington Central Labor Council Spokane Regional Labor Council NorthWest Washington Central Labor Council Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Central Labor Council

07/15/2026

Did you know that July is Disability Awareness Month? ♿

This , we're shining a light on the accessibility tools and features available in our digital collections. 🌐

✅ All our online exhibit websites are fully ADA accessible.
✅ All our oral histories are transcribed and indexed for easy searching and reading. 📝

💬 Do you have suggestions for how our digital content could be made even more accessible? We'd love to hear your ideas—drop them in the comments below!
📢
Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries, University of Washington Libraries, MLK Labor, Washington State Labor Council, Pierce County Central Labor Council, Thurston Lewis Mason Central Labor Council - TLM CLC Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies

07/01/2026

🖤 : 91 Years Ago This Sunday
✊🏾✊🏿✊🏼✊🏽✊🏻

On July 5, 1934 — “Bloody Thursday” — two workers, Howard Sperry and Nick Bordoise, were killed and many more wounded when police fired into a crowd in San Francisco. Sperry was a striking longshoreman and Bordoise was a cook volunteering in the strike kitchen.

This newsletter was published on June 12, 1934 — five weeks into the West Coast Waterfront Strike. Just weeks before the violence that sparked the San Francisco General Strike — which helped inspire a wave of 1930s labor rebellions.

🚢 Longshore workers led the way and were joined by other maritime workers from San Diego to Seattle refused to work until their demands were met. The longshore demands included union recognition, a coastwide contract, better wages, and safer conditions.

Their fight for dignity reshaped the labor movement.

—

📜 From the Albert H. Farmer papers, Pacific Northwest Collection, UW Libraries Special Collections.

🔗 Visit the Labor Archives of Washington to explore materials documenting West Coast labor history.

👇 Tag a labor history enthusiast who needs to see this!

—

📸 Image: Albert H. Farmer papers, 3461-001, Pacific Northwest Collection, UW Libraries Special Collections

—

Special Collections UW Libraries ILWU Local 142 Hawaii ILWU Local 23 MLK Labor Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO Pierce County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO Thuston-Lewis-Mason WA Labor ILWU ILWU Local 19 Young Workers Committee ILWU Local 10 Young Workers Harry Bridges

LongshoreWorkers SanFrancisco LaborHistory BloodyThursday LaborArchives Strikes UnionStrong WorkingClassHistory OnThisDay ArchivesOfResistance LaborStrike WestCoastLabor 1934Strike SolidarityForever

07/01/2026

🖤 : 91 Years Ago This Sunday
✊🏾✊🏿✊🏼✊🏽✊🏻

On July 5, 1934 — "Bloody Thursday" — two workers, Howard Sperry and Nick Bordoise, were killed and many more wounded when police fired into a crowd in San Francisco. Sperry was a striking longshoreman and Bordoise was a cook volunteering in the strike kitchen.

This newsletter was published on June 12, 1934 — five weeks into the West Coast Waterfront Strike. Just weeks before the violence that sparked the San Francisco General Strike — which helped inspire a wave of 1930s labor rebellions.

🚢 Longshore workers led the way and were joined by other maritime workers from San Diego to Seattle refused to work until their demands were met. The longshore demands included union recognition, a coastwide contract, better wages, and safer conditions.

Their fight for dignity reshaped the labor movement.

---

📜 From the Albert H. Farmer papers, Pacific Northwest Collection, UW Libraries Special Collections.

🔗 Visit the to explore materials documenting West Coast labor history.

👇 Tag a labor history enthusiast who needs to see this!

---

📸 Image: Albert H. Farmer papers, 3461-001, Pacific Northwest Collection, UW Libraries Special Collections

---

06/25/2026

For the final of Pride Month, we want to highlight YOU! There is a major gap in collections related to LGBTQ+ workers at the Labor Archives. Help us address this gap by sharing your story and taking steps to preserve your records!
Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries University of Washington Libraries
University of Washington Libraries MLK Labor Washington State Labor Council Thurston Lewis Mason Central Labor Council - TLM CLC NorthWest Washington Central Labor Council Southwest Washington Central Labor Council Pride at Work Spokane Regional Labor Council Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Central Labor Council Pierce County Central Labor Council

Address

Seattle, WA
98195

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 4:45pm
Tuesday	10am - 4:45pm
Wednesday	10am - 7:45pm
Thursday	10am - 4:45pm
Friday	10am - 4:45pm

Telephone

+12065431929

Website

http://laborarchives.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Labor Archives of Washington, UW Special Collections posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to Labor Archives of Washington, UW Special Collections:

Want your university to be the top-listed University in Seattle?