After an extremely difficult bargaining session this summer, our team presents to you for consideration this tentative agreement.

Our bargaining team began negotiations with extremely high hopes of reaching a mutually acceptable collective bargaining agreement. The team fought hard to enhance member wages and improvements to your working conditions. Acknowledging the unprecedented economic environment, we attempted to negotiate a general wage increase to remedy both historical shortcomings and our immediate needs. Ultimately, the state indicated that our demands exceeded anticipated revenues. The team made clear that members are suffering and that such a low increase would further exacerbate recruitment and retention challenges seen all across the state.

Our team’s initial proposals consisted of numerous workplace enhancements, looking at both economic and non-economic enhancements. In addition to a nearly 30% cost of living adjustment over the biennium, we recommended provisions around emergency sick leave when all other forms of leave are exhausted, telework guarantees, especially during periods of inclement weather, and stipends for the use of personnel devices. We attempted to recognize seniority for part time employees, and improvements around the bilingual provisions. For our economic enhancement, we made proposals to recognize employees working in hazardous environments, longevity, degree completion, to name a few. We also attempted to expand the county premiums afforded to those who work in King County. We requested an expanded list of job classification adjustments, as well as a one time inflation offset amount.

Recognizing the state was unwilling to genuinely provide for a meaningful cost of living adjustment, the team also attempted to improve up on other working conditions such as the expansion of remote work opportunities. The team encountered roadblock after roadblock through out the summer, with the state ultimately imposing their last, best and final offer on 11 articles. The state was unwilling to adequately address nearly all of the union’s proposals, even after multiple attempts at clarifying our position and the needs of our membership.

Although the state’s last, best and final offer does provide some economic relief to our members, how much longer can state employees continue to suffer under regressive wages? We must send a clear message that this must end now, and that our members deserve fair wages and improved working conditions. Each member should consider their current economic situation and determine if this ongoing approach by OFM is appropriate and sustainable. It is time to let them know we can no longer balance the state’s budget on the backs of our membership.

The Higher Education bargaining team is recommending a NO VOTE.