Agreement Reached in Collective Bargaining
October 04, 2017
Bellingham Technical College’s (BTC) Board of Trustees approved the Bellingham Education Support Team (BEST) Collective Bargaining Agreement, at a special meeting held today, Monday, October 2, 2017.
BEST ratified the collective bargaining agreement on Thursday, September 28, at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Major contract elements include:
· Base wage increases of 3.05% in 2017-2018, 4.2% in 2018-2019, and State COLA plus up to 1.25% in 2019-2020 (State COLA to be determined in the next State budget biennium).
· Enhancements to the longevity steps: increases 10-year step from $0.40 to $0.45 per hour, adds a 15-year step at $0.25 per hour and maintains the 20-year step of $0.25.
· Adds an additional day per year of vacation for employees between 1-19 years of service. BEST employees who have been with the college 1-3 years receive 15 days; 4-10 years receive 19 days; 11-18 years receive 23 days; and 19+ years receive 24 days.
· Compensated time off when/if the college closes for inclement weather.
· Provides additional ability for employees to work with supervisors on flexible schedules.
· Increased wages for select classifications and bargaining unit employees.
BTC called this special meeting of the Board of Trustees to expedite the full approval of the collective bargaining agreement. The full contract is in the process of being compiled, and will be made public after it is reviewed and signed by both parties in 30-60 days.
About Bellingham Technical College
Bellingham Technical College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and offers two Bachelor of Applied Science 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.
BEST ratified the collective bargaining agreement on Thursday, September 28, at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Major contract elements include:
· Base wage increases of 3.05% in 2017-2018, 4.2% in 2018-2019, and State COLA plus up to 1.25% in 2019-2020 (State COLA to be determined in the next State budget biennium).
· Enhancements to the longevity steps: increases 10-year step from $0.40 to $0.45 per hour, adds a 15-year step at $0.25 per hour and maintains the 20-year step of $0.25.
· Adds an additional day per year of vacation for employees between 1-19 years of service. BEST employees who have been with the college 1-3 years receive 15 days; 4-10 years receive 19 days; 11-18 years receive 23 days; and 19+ years receive 24 days.
· Compensated time off when/if the college closes for inclement weather.
· Provides additional ability for employees to work with supervisors on flexible schedules.
· Increased wages for select classifications and bargaining unit employees.
BTC called this special meeting of the Board of Trustees to expedite the full approval of the collective bargaining agreement. The full contract is in the process of being compiled, and will be made public after it is reviewed and signed by both parties in 30-60 days.
About Bellingham Technical College
Bellingham Technical College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and offers two Bachelor of Applied Science 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.
