Contempt. Disrespect. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for college employees. | Bargaining Update #11

We wish we had better news for you. But we need you to know the truth.

Today at the table, OFM demonstrated stark disrespect for the work we all do. It's worse than what GG is being offered. It is quite literally nothing.

We knew going into this cycle that compensation was going to be difficult. But after our team and WFSE President Mike Yestramski met with OFM today, it became clear that not only is compensation a big fat nothing, they're rejecting any possible language changes that would help our members and improve our contract.

They've shown us what they think of us. They've wasted our time, thrown our team's work back in our faces, and now, at the critical end of bargaining, they're attempting to ram a pile of you-know-what down our throats.

"This is the absolute worst I've seen, in every bargaining team I’ve ever been part of. What they presented is a wishlist. It’s not a package. And I’m not f’ing Santa Claus." - Kimi Hanson, Everett CC

"We've hit new lows of disrespect." - Tom Cline, Peninsula College

"OFM's contempt for labor is staggering. It's no secret, but this is my first time actually seeing it." - Johnny Dwyer, Seattle Colleges

Management’s behavior throughout this process has been nothing short of outrageous. They have shown, over and over again, that they do not respect us, they do not value our labor, and they do not take our negotiations seriously. While our team came prepared, focused, and ready to bargain, management chose to stall, obstruct, and drag this process out at every single turn.

And after wasting our time with delay tactics, they dumped a last minute package on the table that is not just inadequate — it is a slap in the face. It shows blatant disregard for the people who keep this state running day after day. Our members will not accept it. We will not be brushed aside. And we will not allow management to treat us like we are disposable..

We're meeting with OFM again this coming Monday, September 14.

Until then, we all need to flood Bob with calls. Call and tell him you demand a fair contract, and take a moment to share what YOU do and how it keeps our state running. We are the backbone of Washington, and we're not going to stay silent when what we're fighting for is our state's future.

In solidarity,

AFSCME Council 28/WFSE
Speaking Up for Our Jobs, Families & Communities
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