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Students, Community & Labor Stand Together to Stop Cuts

May 12, 2016

MEDIA ADVISORY

Rally to take place at 3 PM to call attention to closing academic programs, reducing student services, and giving faculty “pink slips”

Renton – Community activists, labor, and students will gather this Saturday, May 14, from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM at Renton Technical College, Bldg. C. The purpose is to highlight the need to reinvest in our students, our faculty, and our communities and to recognize the role of higher education in redressing institutional racism and racial inequities that impact teaching and learning experiences for employees and students of color. Community and technical colleges provide greater access to higher education for lower income, first-generation, and students of color. Nearly half (42%) of students who attend two-year colleges are students of color, according to data from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges’ 2014 Fall Enrollment Report.

Education Union Endorses State Sen. Jayapal for Congress

NEWS RELEASE | March 28, 2016

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Washington is pleased to endorse State Senator Pramila Jayapal for the 7th Congressional District race.

“Senator Jayapal is an unwavering and effective leader who advocates for public education, for workers’ rights, including the right to organize, and for human rights,” said Karen Strickland, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) in Washington State.

Statement On Accident Involving North Seattle Students, Employees

We are saddened to hear about the tragic accident involving North Seattle College students and employees which occurred today on the Aurora Bridge. We represent the faculty and professional staff at North Seattle College and understand that two of our members were on the bus.

Statement on 2015-2017 State Operating Budget

AFT Washington applauds Governor Inslee and the House and Senate for passing a compromise 2015-2017 budget that supports education employees. The budget provides a 4.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment over two years for education employees covered by voter-approved Initiative 732. This not only covers K-12 teachers but also community and technical college (CTC) faculty, technical college classified employees, and K-12 school support staff. [full release]

Reinvestment Begins with House Budget

Statement by AFT Washington President Karen Strickland

It is refreshing to see the House take bold action to address the revenue crisis in Washington State.

I was especially pleased that the House budget begins to reverse the budget cuts of the last six years and recognizes that students carry too much of the cost of education by freezing tuition. However, tuition has risen to compensate for significant state disinvestment in higher education over the years. A substantial infusion of funding is needed in order to ensure the high-quality education we expect from our colleges and universities. A key ingredient of this high quality is the faculty. While funding the Cost of Living Adjustment is much appreciated by our membership, our community and technical college faculty continue to earn salary steps, which once again are unfunded for the fourth consecutive biennia.

 

Governor's Education Budget Proposal a Good Start but More Investment Needed

We commend the governor’s budget proposal to close tax loopholes and establish new revenue sources, such as a capital gains tax. His investments in early learning, funding McCleary, and an enhanced cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for education employees covered under I-732 are a demonstration of the values we share. 

Higher Ed Summit Brings Together Stakeholders' on State Disinvestment

In an effort to address the state’s declining investment in higher education, students, faculty, community organizations, and labor unions will meet on Saturday, Oct. 25th, in Tacoma to develop strategies and solutions to reverse this trend during the 2015 legislative session.

Washington State is ranked fourth in the country for decreased state funding per full-time equivalent (FTE) and ninth in the country for the largest tuition increases during 2008-2012.

Talks Break Down: UW Lecturers Still Fighting for Fair First Contract

June 12, 2014   |  Seattle – English Language Faculty at the University of Washington (UW) today announced talks have broken down again on their negotiations for a fair contract with the UW administration. After two weeks of progress, the sides are stuck over what amount of compensation will recompense these workers for the years of underpayment they have experienced.

 

AFT Washington Partners with First Book to Provide Free Books to Young Children and Students

May 9, 2014

 Saturday, May 17, Doors open at 11:30 AM - Seattle Center Exhibition Hall

The American Federation of Teachers in Washington State (AFT Washington, AFL-CIO) is holding a book giveaway and community resource fair to get free books into the hands of local public school students to support their literacy and educational success. Mayor Ed Murray is scheduled to attend as well as award-winning author and UW Professor Emeritus Charles Johnson and his daughter Elisheba Johnson co-authors of “The Adventures of Emery Johns, Boy Science Wonder: Bending Time.”

Exempt Staff at Seattle Community Colleges Approve Union

March 14, 2014

Seattle – Exempt employees who work at the four Seattle Community College campuses today voted 68-39 to form their own union through a secret ballot process certified by the Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission in Olympia. The vote means that 156 staff who work in advising, IT, financial aid, student outreach, and other departments will be represented by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Washington. Faculty at Seattle Community Colleges are already represented by AFT Washington.