Your Contract. Your Vote. Your Voice.
Voting for the Yakima Valley College Contract Ratification will take place online September 15–22.
Ready to Vote?
On the morning of September 15, you will receive an email at your personal email address from Election Runner with your secure login information and instructions for voting.
Didn’t receive your email? Don’t worry!
Email us at solidarity@wpea.org, or find Staff Representative Judy Lumm (Judy@wpea.org) onsite next week. Judy will be available to assist members and provide an opportunity to vote in person.
Make Your Voice Count
This is your contract, and this is your opportunity to have a say in it.
Vote September 15–22!
Below is the Contract TA and the Summary.
YVC Bargaining Summary 2027-2029
This is a summary of changes in the tentative agreement between YVC Administration and your YVC WPEA Bargaining Team.
You will be voting to either accept or reject this agreement.
Article 3.3 – Seniority List: The employer will post a seniority list once a year or upon request by the Union.
Article 6.10 – Notice of Re-Organization: The college will notify the union of re-orgs 30 days prior to implementation.
Article 9.2.6 – Personal Holiday: Personal Holidays will be equivalent to your regularly scheduled shift, not just 8 hours.
Article 10.1- Vacation Leave accrual and usage changes from days to hours
Article 10.5.1 – Vacation Leave – Excess Accumulation: Employees may accumulate up to 280 hours.
Article 10.6.3 – Probationary Employees: Use of vacation will only be restricted to the first 4 months of employment.
Article 10.8 – Cash Payment for Vacation: Employees no longer required to provide advance notice for a lump sum cash payment. Vacation payout limit was raised to 280 hours.
Article 11.1.1 – Sick Leave Usage: No limit on how many sick days employees can use to provide emergency childcare.
Article 11.3 – Return to Work Certification & MedVer: Gained 2 additional days of consecutive sick leave use before being required to bring in medical certification, for a total of 7.
Article 12.3 – Bereavement Leave: An additional 5 days of sick/vacation leave will be granted for the death of a family member or the loss of a pregnancy. Definition of Household Member and Loss of Pregnancy outlined in this Article.
Article 12.9 – Personal Leave: Employees will receive 30 hours of personal leave each year.
Article 13.5.1 – Long Term Schedule Changes: Increased from 14 to 21 days notice.
Article 13.5.2 A. – Temporary Schedule Changes: Increased from 3 to 7 days notice.
Article 13.8.1 – Shift Differential: Shift premium increased to $2.82/$490 per month.
Article 13.11 – Emergency Closure: Decisions to delay classes or close campus will be made by 5:30 a.m.
Article 14 – Professional Development: The Professional Development Committee allocated $1,000 per fiscal year.
Article 15.3 – Probationary Employees: Employees must be provided justification for any extension.
Article 15.6 – Project Employees: Continuous service in a project position that otherwise satisfies the requirements of the probationary period shall be credited toward that period, up to not to exceed ninety (90) calendar days. Employees will gain permanent status upon successful completion of their probationary period.
Article 18.5.1 – Temporary Reduction in Work Hours: Notice to employees will be given 14 days in advance.
Article 18.5.2 – Temporary Layoff: Notice to employees will be given 14 days in advance.
Article 18.10.1 – Notification to Permanent Employees: Employees will receive 30 days before a layoff.
Article 18.10.4 – Notification to Permanent Employees: Employees will have 14 daysto accept or decline options.
Article 18.12 – Transition Review Period: Extensions will include justification for the extension.
Article 22.5 – Uniform Allowance: Employer will provide a safety boot allowance every 12 months. Refer to chart in 22.5 for dollar amounts.
Memorandum of Understanding: One-time vacation accrual of four (4) hours per employee upon contract ratification of this agreement.
Cost of Living Adjustment: At the time this summary was prepared, the WPEA Higher Ed. Coalition was still at the bargaining table with the state over the COLA. In accordance with Appendix B of the YVC contract, Conformity Of Economic Terms and Conditions, the parties agree that the wage rates shall be the same as those provided in the Higher Education Coalition Agreement.
Financial Context to Consider
● Safety Shoe Allowance (Boots): $6,442.86
● Personal Leave Hours (6-hour increase): $25,601.00
● Current Shift Differential Estimate (at the $2.82 counter-rate): $15,300.00
● Professional Development: $1,000
● One-time vacation payout: $17,000
