Green River United Faculty Coalition Local 2195 has called a 3-day strike which begins on Monday, May 23, and ends on Wednesday, May 25. The strike will take place from 7 AM to 7 PM at all four college campuses: the main campus in Auburn, downtown Auburn annex, Kent campus at the Kent Commons, and the Enumclaw campus. A press conference will be held at 10 AM on Monday at the east entrance of the main campus, 12401 SE 320th Street, Auburn, WA.
The decision to strike follows a series of actions over the last three years, such as rallies, information picketing, visits with the governor's office and legislators, speaking at board of trustees meetings, and much more. The administration closed two programs last year and is proposing to close 11 programs this year, and RIF (reduction-in-force) notices have been sent to faculty.
For five years, Green River College faculty members have been battling an oppressive, anti-union administration that has resulted in program closures, termination of faculty including targeted union leaders, unfair labor practices, difficult negotiations, and an unfair, unproven evaluation process to rate programs. It’s not only union members who have been targeted, but also many good administrators who believed in shared governance were fired under the current president. Furthermore, classified staff have been retaliated against and they have numerous Unfair Labor Practices in process.
Students ultimately suffer from the lack of educational opportunities, and the community is weakened as the investment that a strong community college provides is diminished by cuts.
For more information, visit www.unitedattheriver.com. To volunteer for the picket line or bringing food, water, coffee or other support at any of the four campuses, please sign up here.
For media inquiries, contact:
- Jaeney Hoene (206-679-8655)
- Jamie Fitzgerald (206-714-9976),
- John Avery (253-376-5599)
- Ajay Narayanan (253-391-0278)
- email: greenriverfaculty@gmail.com