“2% is milk, not a COLA”

Public workers organized with WPEA to hold informational pickets at seven colleges across Washington on August 28

OLYMPIA, WA (August 27, 2024) — Washington Public Employee Association (WPEA) members working in higher education will hold informational pickets on Wednesday, August 28 as negotiations for a new two-year contract continue to drag on. Workers are sounding the alarm on low pay; at some colleges, near 60% of workers make so little that they qualify for state assistance, per the union.

The WPEA Higher Education bargaining coalition has been negotiating with the state since May. Despite months at the table, the union has only secured tentative agreements on 3 out of 50 articles of the contract. With an October 1 deadline looming for an approved contract, the union is concerned the state may be looking to run down the clock instead of meaningfully engaging in bargaining.

WPEA members sharing message of support for a strong contract. Photos: WPEA.

The state isn’t moving on key issues like wages, working conditions, and benefits, per the WPEA. For the workers, the state’s current offer on wages — one 2% COLA over the span of the two year contract — just isn’t cutting it.

“2% is milk, not a COLA,” said Higher Education bargaining team member Manda Pelly, who works at Edmonds College. “We deserve fair pay.”

The union points out that with the sharp rise in the cost of living in Washington State, a one-time 2% COLA effectively amounts to a pay cut. The CPI in the Western US grew 2.6% in the last 12 months alone, and 3.8% in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area.

Subpar pay has lasting impacts on both public workers and the thousands of Washingtonian who rely on public services. Workers are stuck in an endless cycle of training new hires, as low wages fail to retain employees long-term. When this cycle is unsustainable, both the workers and the community members who use these services suffer.

TAKE A STAND — join WPEA members for pickets across Washington on Wednesday, August 28:

Bellevue College
Date: 8/28/2024
Time(s): 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Location(s): The free speak zone near the cafeteria.

Clark College
Date: 8/28/2024
Time(s): 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Location: North GHL entrance, outside in front of culinary

Edmonds College
Multiple dates, times, and locations.
Learn more at: https://tinyurl.com/230wpea

Olympic College
Date: 8/28/2024
Time(s): 12:00 PM and 3:30 PM
Location: Main entrance by Warren Ave and in front of Building 5

Pierce College
Date: 8/28/2024
Time(s): 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM, 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Location(s): At the northeast and south entrances of the Cascade building

Skagit Valley College
Date: 8/28/2024
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: On the corner of North Laventure and East College Way

Wenatchee Valley College
Date: 8/28/2024
Time(s): 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: 5th Street in front of college by administration building

For more information, contact Julia Thurman-Lascurain at 360.490.8469 or julia@wpea.org