Earlier this week, President John Mosby met with classified staff to discuss the $1,200 stipend, bargaining, and the college’s direction. The meeting lasted about an hour and a half and included strong testimony from staff about the real impacts of broken promises and underfunding.
Mosby opened by apologizing for the earlier commitment to provide a $1,200 stipend, saying leadership later determined the college could not legally issue it without a ratified contract. He warned that paying it anyway could jeopardize accreditation, state funding, and even financial aid. Staff pushed back, asking to review the statutes he cited. By the end of the meeting, Mosby committed to sit down with the union (with legal counsel present) to review the law directly.
The discussion also touched on bargaining structure. Highline currently bargains independently with its employer, which has allowed classified staff to win local improvements like paid union time, personal days, and stipends. Mosby suggested Highline could rejoin the statewide coalition, but staff pushed back strongly, warning that returning to the coalition would mean losing decades of hard-won gains. Mosby confirmed that negotiations will resume soon after the rejected MOU.
Throughout the meeting, staff emphasized the inequities they face: many rely on food banks, need extra leave to care for families, and have endured raises that don’t keep up with inflation. Several challenged Mosby directly on pay equity, noting he makes eight times the salary of the lowest-paid employees.
The message from staff was clear: words of support are not enough. Members demanded action. By the end of the meeting, two commitments were secured — a legal review with union participation, and new bargaining ahead.
We Want to Hear From You
highlineleadershipteam@wpea.org
- What stood out to you in the meeting?
- Do you have questions you’d like addressed?
- Our next member meeting is coming up — will you be there to keep the conversation moving forward?
- Bargaining will resume soon. Will you come observe and see the process firsthand?
