LOCAL
Green River College board backs Ely; faculty authorizes strike
The following day, nearly 75 percent of Green River United Faculty Coalition (AFT) Local 2195 members voted to authorize the local’s executive board to call a strike if they deem it necessary. Earlier this month, the union filed a ULP charging the administration with bargaining in bad faith. The college and faculty bargaining team have been in negotiations for about 18 months, in mediation for the last six of those. The recent announcement about the closure of four programs, three of which are led by union leaders, was the last straw.
“In the history of this college there has never been this level of unrest and bad morale,” said Local 2195 President Mark Millbauer, head of the auto body technology program that is among those targeted for closure, at the board meeting. “It is so bad that not only have we had to give a second Vote of No Confidence and serious letter of concern about our president, we are to the point of where are faculty are considering strong actions up to and including a strike — a stop of labor.”
Lee Newgent, Executive Secretary of the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council, said they are projecting $25 billion in construction jobs for this area and that it makes no sense to cut trades programs.
Many students expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of communication from the college about their classes. Students were up in arms when the board chair wouldn’t let one of the students speak about closing the autobody program. Amid chants of “Let her speak,” the chair finally conceded but with the warning that she couldn’t say anything about the merits of the programs in question.
Despite the overwhelming support of keeping the programs, the very next day the Board of Trustees issued a press release stating, “we wish to make it clear that we as a Board support the efforts of President Ely and her Administrative Team.”
Faculty affected by program closures have until June 8 to propose ways to save money so the programs remain open. One of them, the Childhood Education Program, has proposed savings, so they are no longer at risk of closure.
ALSO in the Kent Reporter — Tensions grow over possible program cuts at Green River
ALSO at The Stand — Green River College faculty: President Ely has got to go (May 15)