WPEA recently discovered that Yakima Valley College hadn’t properly reclassified six of our members after their current classification was eliminated by the State last June. We immediately brought our discovery to the attention of YVC and demanded a quick resolution. The College acknowledged the mistake and within a few days had notified each member of the error and appropriately reclassified the employees. WPEA and YVC met with each employee to explain the situation and answer their questions about the changes. Less than two weeks after the Union notified the College of the oversight, the six WPEA members received a lump sum payment for their lost wages, totally nearly $30,000!

A few months ago, WPEA filed a grievance on behalf of a member who had already left employment with YVC, but who hadn’t been properly compensated in their final paycheck for the leave they had accrued. In our initial grievance hearing with the College, YVC denied our grievance. But after continued conversations with Human Resources, and before the second grievance hearing, the College offered to settle. Our grievant won back 73 hours of leave and was paid almost $4000!