Labor Negotiations Successfully Conclude at BTC
BELLINGHAM TECHNICAL COLLEGE AND THE BELLINGHAM EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TEAM UNION REACH AGREEMENT CLASSES IN SESSION FOR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
Bellingham, Washington-September 28, 2017 – Bellingham Technical College (BTC) is pleased to announce that BTC and BEST have reached agreement. BEST, representing classified clerical, technical, instructional and retail support staff at BTC ratified a successful collective bargaining agreement Thursday evening, September 28, 2017. Classes resume Friday, September 29.
The Board of Trustees will vote on its approval at a special Board meeting next week. Once the contract is completely approved, information outlining the details of the contract settlement will be made available.
We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of our BEST bargaining team and all BEST employees. Good work has occurred between our teams. We are pleased with the agreement and believe that it shows the College’s commitment to providing the very best education for our students.
Previous news release submitted September 26, 2017
BELLINGHAM TECHNICAL COLLEGE AND THE BELLINGHAM EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TEAM UNION CONTINUE ACTIVE LABOR NEGOTIATIONS – CLASSES CANCELLED FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Bellingham Technical College (BTC) continues labor negotiations with Bellingham Educational Support Team (BEST), representing 57 classified clerical, technical, instructional and retail support staff at BTC. Joint bargaining sessions between BTC and BEST began in April 2017.
BTC and BEST are currently negotiating with the assistance of Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) mediators. BTC’s bargaining team are remaining available at all hours to continue negotiations until a settlement is reached.
It is the priority of Bellingham Technical College to ensure that employees receive equitable compensation packages that are competitive with their peers at other Washington two-year institutions, while at the same time managing resources and resolving a $100,000 deficit. BTC recently completed a salary comparison of BTC classified salaries with similar positions within community colleges and state agencies. On average, BTC classified salaries are 12.75% above the salaries paid to similar positions.
BEST is striking today, Monday, September 25. BTC faculty voted to not cross a staff picket line, therefore all classes were cancelled for Monday, September 25.
BTC was informed that BEST is striking tomorrow, Tuesday, September 26. BTC faculty will continue to not cross a picket line, therefore all classes are cancelled for Tuesday, September 26.
“BTC continues to bargain in good faith and welcomes PERC’s involvement and is prepared to work with the mediator and BEST representatives through the duration to bring matters to a resolution,” said Marni Mayer, Public Information Officer at Bellingham Technical College. “Keeping our students informed and working with their concerns is our priority. We send them BTC Alerts, update our website, and our emergency phone line as updates become available. We also have front line staff working in our College Services building to assist students with questions. Multiple services remain available and open to support students.”
Open services include: the College Services building Monday-Friday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. (360.752.8600); the Campus Store with varied hours; the Assessment Testing Center Tuesday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; STAR and TRIO tutoring will operate as normal, and the Campus Center library will be open from Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. & Friday 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and closed Saturday.
About Bellingham Technical College
Bellingham Technical College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and offers two Bachelor of Sciences degrees, seven direct transfer degrees such as pre-engineering, pre-nursing, electronics, mechanical engineering, and technology and business. Completion of these degrees prepares BTC students to transfer with a junior status to participating colleges and universities in Washington State. BTC offers 38 associate degree and 51 certificate options providing professional technical education to support local and regional industry workforce needs. For more information, go to www.btc.edu.
