On August 1, your Bargaining Team resumed negotiations with management and their Attorney. The parties exchanged some proposals and some “What if” proposals as an attempt to reach a deal. However, the parties were not able to reach an agreement as we are still apart on compensation, vacation leave, retention and recruitment and targeted job classifications salary increases. The party were able to make some positive movement with shift differential increases, personal leave, footwear/clothing allowance and parking.
Our goal is to make CWU the employer of choice for the positions we represent; with fair pay and benefits to keep pace with other Washington employers and private sector positions.
We believe that the work of CWU employees is valuable and should be treated as such, with fair compensation and benefits that retain current employees and draw new talent to the university. Becoming the best employer possible will aid the staffing crisis and stop the burnout current employees feel from CWU’s understaffing.
We will continue to fight for your rights, working to ensure a better workplace for all employees at Central Washington University.
A solid contract is especially valuable considering the impacts of inflation and other financial strains in Ellensburg, Kittitas County and Washington. The workers who make CWU’s prestigious facilities function deserve the best benefits possible, keeping up with the options that workers could get at private workplaces.
Remember—CWU works because we do!
So what’s next?
We will be meeting to bargain again on September 4th. CWU’s negotiators will be responding to our compensation and “what if” proposals as we presented to them on August 1. We’re asking you to wear union swag (WFSE green, your Local shirts, anything union!) on August 1st. Show management we’re sticking together, and we mean business!
“Bargaining has been interesting and even though we are making some progress, there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done, to achieve our goals and to provide everyone with a better financial future for yourself and your family.” ~ Chris Everett, CWU Bargaining Team Member
For more resources, make sure to check out our bargaining toolkit. The toolkit has everything from virtual backgrounds to printable posters. Reach out to your Council Representative to get some of these materials.