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Washington state's community college system is the best in the nation, according to a new study released Monday. The new report, by personal finance website WalletHub, ranked hundreds of U.S. schools in the American Association of Community Colleges based on 19 different criteria, including costs, efficiency, retention rates, graduation rates and career outcomes. When all of the criteria were counted up, Washington state's community college system had the highest average score of any state. Within Washington itself, Pierce College in Puyallup had the highest score, followed by Shoreline Community College, South Puget Sound Community College, Big Bend Community College, Lower Columbia College, Everett Community College and Bates Technical School. The state with the second-best community college system is South Dakota. Minnesota came in at No. 3. Oregon was ranked No. 17 in the nation, Idaho was ranked No. 36 and California came in at No. 18. We would like to recognize our members at Pierce College and Big Bend Community College. This would not be possible with out you! Did you know that, on average, a worker covered by a union contract earns 13.2 percent more in wages than a peer with similar education, occupation, and experience in a nonunionized workplace in the same sector?
Today is Financial Awareness Day, so we wanted to take a moment to share how our union is working hard to help you reach financial freedom. There is hard evidence showing that when unions are strong, middle class incomes go up —this is no accident. Unions have positive effects, not only on the wages of union workers, but also on the wages of comparable nonunion workers, as unions set standards for entire industries and occupations. The union wage boost statistically helps close wage gaps among many demographics, whether by gender, race, or education. The good wages and benefits you negotiate in your union contract are your right as a union member. You have earned them. Access to better healthcare, safer workplaces, and scheduling that allows you to plan your life are all things that your union contract can provide, saving you hard-earned money over time. Whether from paying lower insurance premiums, avoiding costly medical bills from slipping in an unsafe facility, or being able to get enough hours to provide for your family, the union difference allows you to have more financial freedom. At myufcw.org you can find hundreds of discounts that are available to you as a UFCW member, including:
In today’s economy we know it can be hard to make ends meet, but we will never stop fighting to make things better for you and your family. Thank you for all that you do to make our union strong. On Monday, June 17, WPEA attended the Governor signing of our General Government contract. Two of our bargaining team members, Jeff Freshley, WSDA, and Brendan Magee, WSP, were able to meet Governor Jay Inslee. Kent Stanford, WPEA President, and Lane Hatfield, WPEA Contract Administration Director, also attended. (Photo courtesy of Office of the Governor)   It’s official: With Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak’s signature on S.B. 135, more than 20,000 state employees have won the right to collectively bargain for better wages and working conditions, thanks to the hard work of AFSCME members to elect more union members and allies to public office. “This bill is about respect for state employees who make their communities stronger every day. By signing this bill, Governor Sisolak demonstrates his understanding of the importance of giving working people a seat at the table and the voice on the job they deserve,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders.
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