Bargaining has been going remarkably well this cycle. It looks like we are getting most of what we were asking for, in one form or another, even if it’s not in the form we proposed. Approximately 2/3 of what we discussed are ready to TA (aka, have been fully agreed upon and are ready to add to the contract), while the others are mostly in the process of hammering out the final language. Due to confidentiality restrictions of bargaining, that’s all I can say at the moment.

We hope to have a final contract ready to ratify no later than September 10, in order to vote and meet the October 1 OFM deadline.

We’ve had very limited time to bargain this cycle due to a variety of reasons, and have had to be choosy in the topics we discussed. While there was a long list of suggestions from members, some *can’t* be bargained or can’t be bargained locally. The WPEA team has had to choose subject that will provide the most benefit to the most members, and repair the most harm of the past few years.

I know that after the past several years, patience is hard. It’s frustrating. It’s an infuriating thing to be told to wait and hang on a little longer. But please know that your stewards and your bargaining team are doing our best, and we have made great strides this cycle. Unfortunately this is a marathon, not a sprint, and we can’t do everything all at once.

If there was something you were eager to get into this contract/bargaining cycle that didn’t make it, consider joining the bargaining team for the next cycle. If you are passionate for a cause, then you are its best advocate.