Ratification

WWU CONTRACT RATIFICATION

CONTRACTS RATIFIED 9/28/18

WFSE MEMBERS OVERWHELMINGLY RATIFIED 2019-2021 CONTRACTS TODAY WHEN VOTING CLOSED AT 5PM.

"The hard work of our bargaining teams, and advocacy of our members resulted in historic gains in our 2019-2021 contracts. We are stronger together." — Amy Spiegel, WFSE Director of Negotiations

The contracts wil be delivered to the Governor's office for processing (financial feasibility) and inclusion in Governor's 2019 Budget. Stay tuned in January for opportunities to help support lobbying efforts for funding our contracts.

SUMMARY OF TENTATIVE AGREEMENT

Summary of Tentative Agreement reached for the 2019-2021 Western Washington University collective bargaining agreement for bargaining units BUA, BUB, and BUE classified staff. This is a summary that highlights and explains the most significant provisions of the Tentative Agreement reached between the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) classified bargaining unit and Western Washington University (WWU) on September 17, 2018. It does not cover every article or every provision.

MAJOR GOALS

Major goals achieved in tough economic times include:

  • 6% across the board increases for everyone covered by the agreement over the life of the two-year contract. 3% increase in 7/1/19 and 3% increase in 7/1/20 (see Art. 43)
  • $225.00 Lump Sum 07/25/2019 (see Art. 43)
  • 200 Hours of Vacation Leave after the 25 years of employment with WWU (see Art. 11)
  • $200 Footwear Allowance for Custodians and Environmental Health and Safety Technicians (see Article 21)
  • Maintained healthcare costs, fought to hold the line on UMP out-of-pockets costs, maintained the increased wellness benefits, and created a new $500.00 benefit for those making $50,004.00/year or less – this will benefit thousands more of our members. (Art. 44)

HIGHLIGHTS
OF THE ECONOMIC GAINS IN 2019-2021 ARTICLES

Article 43 – Compensation 

  • 6% across the board increases for everyone covered by the agreement over the life of the two-year contract. 3% increase in 7/1/19 and 3% increase in 7/1/20 (see Art. 43) 
  • $225.00 Lump Sum 07/25/2019 

HIGHLIGHTS
OF THE NON-ECONOMIC GAINS IN 2019-2021 ARTICLES

Article 2 – Non-Discrimination 

  • Expanded: language regarding protected classes 

Article 3 – Workplace Behavior 

  • Added: “bullying” to the list of inappropriate workplace behavior. 

Article 5 – Temporary Assignments 

  • Temporary employees will receive the same wage increase percentages as permanent WWU employees 
  • Added: “Once a temp employee is hired as a permanent employee into the same position and department without a break in service, the probationary period will not exceed 12 months” 
  • Workplace Behavior Article applying to Temporary Employees (see Article 3) 

Article 11 – Vacation Leave 

  • Added 200 hours of vacation leave to those who have been at WWU for 25+ years 

Article 12 – Sick Leave 

  • Added language clarification of new legislation and rules. 

Article 21 – Uniforms, Tools and Equipment 

  • Added: $200 Footwear Allowance for Custodians and Environmental Health and Safety Technicians 

Article 24 – Commute Trip Reduction and Parking 

  • Added: clarifying language to ensure employees are not reported to credit bureau agencies, for any unpaid parking violations/fees. 
  • Added: a reference to the Governors Executive Order regarding compressed workweeks, flextime arrangements, etc. 

Article 49 – Contracting 

  • Added: University will provide the Union with a description of work to be contracted out, an explanation as to why the University is proposing to contract out work, and the University will identify any time-sensitive or special urgency related to contracting out of bargaining unit work. 

Article 43 – Printing of Agreement 

  • For employees whom require a reasonable accommodation (e.g. large print, braille, etc.), the University will accommodate those requests 

Article 44 – Health Care Benefits Amounts 

  • Maintained healthcare costs, fought to hold the line on UMP out-of-pockets costs, maintained the increased wellness benefits, and created a new $500.00 ($250.00 per year) benefit for those making $50,004.00/year or less – this will benefit thousands more of our members. 

Article 55 - Term of Agreement 

  • Date Changes. 

RESOURCES

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Please VOTE to ratify this agreement!

Your Bargaining Team recommends you VOTE TO ACCEPT this Agreement.