PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University and the Washington Federation of State Employees have reached a tentative agreement regarding the provisions of a new contract with classified employees that will go into effect July 1, 2005.
WSU classified staff will be provided the opportunity to vote on the new proposed contract on Wednesday (Sept. 29). Ratification will require approval by a simple majority of those voting at that time.
The new contract provides for:
· A wage increase of 3.2 percent effective July 1, 2005, and a 2.0 percent, one-time, lump-sum payment effective July 1, 2006.
· Stabilization of the employee premium share of health care benefits for the first time since 1995 at 12 percent.
· As a condition of continued employment, all employees will pay the added costs of arbitration and contract administration through union membership dues or equivalent fees paid to the union. WFSE dues are currently 1.3 percent to a maximum of $53.29 per month.
· Continuation of existing job classification and pay system for employees covered by this contract.
· Elimination of mandatory performance appraisals.
· Leave accruals and holidays are preserved without change.
· A two-year moratorium on competitive contracting.
The Board of Regents of Washington State University will hold a special board meeting via teleconference beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday (Sept. 30) in Room 405 of the
Additional information and points of contact are available on the WFSE Web site at www.wfse.org, the WFSE Local 1066 Web site at www.wfse.org/local1066, and the WSU HRS/Labor Relations Web site at www.hrs.wsu.edu.
