As was mentioned last week, Yakima Valley College WPEA members voted overwhelmingly to ratify the 2027-2029 bargaining agreement, with 94% of the vote. That means each YVC WPEA bargaining unit member will receive an additional 4 hours of vacation leave within the next few weeks, just for ratifying!

The week of convocation, voting on the new contract had already started, but conversations with the administration continued, and last week your HR Director and YVC President agreed to give you even more leave! In addition to the 4 hours of vacation you’ll receive this month for ratifying the contract, you will also receive an additional 40 hours of leave on July 1, 2027, which must be used by June 30, 2029, and an additional Personal Leave day for each year of the contract, for a total of up to 60 hours of additional leave over the next two years! These last-minute improvements to your contract will be outlined in an addendum and an MOU and will be added to the contract on the WPEA website shortly.

In our member meetings, we often talk about the importance of your leave and that it’s part of the compensation package YVC agreed to when you were hired. It can be hard to step away from work to use your leave, but you are entitled to it.

If you’re having any trouble taking your earned leave, please contact our staff rep. Judy Lumm, who can be reached at 509-480-2590 or judy@wpea.org.