10/16/2026
The Edmonds College Board of Trustees met on Thursday, Oct 15, 2026. During that meeting, union members Erik Ray, Karen Sanchez, and David Breed shared their concerns about a contract proposal submitted by the management bargaining team that would replace the reassigned time granted to department heads with a stipend. They shared how department heads are already overwhelmed with administrative tasks and that requiring department heads to work their full teaching load while being paid a small stipend for department head duties was the same as mandatory overtime. You can find their full statements to the BOT at the link.
Karen Sanchez and David Breed also presented a list of 51 faculty signatures to a petition demanding fair compensation for department heads, keeping scheduling decisions in the hands of department heads, and for management to bargain in good faith with the union. The petition signatures were given to VPI Kim Chapman with the hope that the management bargaining team would reconsider this proposal and compensate department head work fairly.
Classified staff also spoke during the public comment period about issues related to the recent offer from OFM of a 0% wage increase for the next two years. Ciela Valle-Olguin asked the BOT to cancel their contract with OFM, whom they paid $140,000 to negotiate against the WPEA. A representative from Facilities shared that the low wages at the college are forcing landscaping workers at Edmonds College, some of whom are former Edmonds College students, to look for jobs elsewhere or take on second jobs to make ends meet. You can find their statements to the BOT at the link provided.
WPEA Chief Steward Lia Andrews and Federation President Chuck Mueller also spoke during the BOT meeting. Lia Andrews spoke about an upcoming food and coat drive that their WPEA local and the Edmonds College Federation of Teachers would be holding in the near future. Chuck Mueller echoed the statements of faculty during the public comment, reminded the BOT about a recent struggle between the union and management regarding high-demand salary enhancements for Nursing faculty, and shared how those high-demand funds have not been used in the agreed-upon ways, including providing tutoring sessions for Nursing students. You can find Lia Andrews’ statement and Chuck Mueller’s statement at the links provided.
The union would like to thank everyone who spoke or submitted written comments for the recent BOT meeting. Speaking up for your union siblings is powerful, and your fellow union members stand with you.