​As you may be aware, Eastern Gateway Community College (EGCC) has been in ongoing negotiations for the past year with the U.S. Department of Education about the structure of the Free College Benefit they offered to union members and has fought hard on behalf of all students to continue these benefits. Their ability to gain a preliminary injunction against the Department of Education gained a full year of continued free education for students and members enrolled in the Free College Program.
Unfortunately, given the negotiations to date with the Department of Education, EGCC is no longer able to offer the Free College Benefit for new students beginning in the Fall semester 2023.
As a result of the above situation, we have been working to create an alternative to EGCC’s now discontinued “Free College” member benefit and I am happy to announce that we will be launching the new UFCW’s Discount Union College Benefit ahead of the upcoming school year.
UFCW has ensured that the new program will be sustainable and fully compliant with the Department of Education's guidelines. As a result, we will be able to offer significantly discounted tuition rates to UFCW members and their families. Prospective students will have the opportunity to work directly with school administrators to apply for federal financial assistance, which could cover their remaining tuition costs.
Furthermore, we have broadened the selection of participating colleges and degree programs to offer a wider range of options, spanning from certificates and associate to bachelor's degrees. We will also be introducing master's degrees as a new addition to the program, providing even more opportunities for our participants.
We are confident that the new program will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our members and their families.
In the coming weeks, we will be providing you with additional details and materials about the new Union College Benefit program to share with your members.
Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to our union family.

Hilary Franz is Bad for Labor Commissioner of Public Lands(CPL) Hilary Franz, runs the Department of Natural Resources(DNR). She is speaking at the Washington State Labor Council Convention (WSLC) on July 19th. She is speaking as 'labor friendly’. Nothing could be further from the truth. 
Under Hilary Franz’s Leadership - What Happened? 

• Safety Issues Ignored 
• Whistleblowers Retaliated Against 
• Wildfire Safety Consultant position unfilled for the last two years 
• Understaffed- dangerously undermining our ability to fight fire 

Your union, WPEA has spent over 100 hours trying to discuss fire specific concerns with the agency in the last year, only to have the agency cancel all future meetings on the topic. 
Your fellow union members need you! Come out and join us to stand in solidarity with the DNR employees at the WSLC on July 19th held in Seatac, Washington. Participants are requested to attend a brief zoom call Friday, July 14th at 5pm to be brought up to speed on what to expect. 

• WPEA will be reimbursing travel expenses for participants. 
• Parking will be paid upfront by participants, but please submit receipt for reimbursement. 
• This must be on personal time, not paid work time. 
• Tee-shirts & signs to carry will be provided 

  
Thank You for considering action to show solidarity! Interested, and want more information? please complete the survey below no later than Friday, July 14th at 6pm. 
Questions? Ask Julia: julia@wpea.org 
WSLC Solidarity Interest Survey 
​

​Please join me in congratulating and thanking our newest members of the Executive Board, Debi Schoonover and Jim McNelly!
 
Debi, a proud WPEA member and employee of Walla Walla Community College, has recently been confirmed to the Executive Board as the Vice President of District 9. She has hit the ground running diving into big projects such as the new suggested Bylaws revisions, approval of the 2023-24 budget, and has accepted the open seat on the Scholarship Committee for 2023-24. She has been a productive and positive influence on the Executive Board and we know that her representation for District 9 will be a great benefit to the membership.
 
Jim McNelly is an employee of the Washington Military Department and is already a leader at the WPEA as he serves as a Steward for his bargaining unit. He has been an invaluable asset on the General Government Bargaining Team this past session, and at our last meeting, the Executive Board was proud to confirm Jim to his new position as the Vice President of District 5.
 
Thank you to both Jim and Debi and congratulations. We know you will do great work in your news roles as Vice Presidents on the WPEA Executive Board!