Bargaining update

April 20, 2004

The Labor Relations office opened negotiations with the 24-person team representing The Evergreen State College and some community colleges on April 8.

By April 9, the two sides had reached agreement on ground rules. Talks progressed to contract language on April 19.

“This is a good beginning,” said Gary Moore, the Governor’s chief negotiator. “I am optimistic as we head into contract negotiations with the higher ed team.”

Negotiations with the Washington Federation of State Employees team representing general government employees currently are proceeding without ground rules.

Bargaining is scheduled to begin soon both with the Local 17 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, and also with the Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 117.