Faculty strike at Bellingham Technical College
Published 3:22 pm Tuesday, September 24, 2013
BELLINGHAM — A Whatcom County District Court judge has refused to force Bellingham Technical College faculty to go back to work.
The faculty went on strike on Tuesday and the college has cancelled classes for the duration of the walkout.
Judge Fred Heydrich said Tuesday after denying an injunction sought by the college that he feels the college and the union are well equipped to continue negotiating toward a solution.
The Bellingham Education Association said contract negotiations ended Monday without a contract, so instructors will be on the picket line instead of class. The union says major issues are salary and workload.
The college said it wants to continue negotiating until a settlement is reached.
Bellingham Technical College has about 8,000 students. It offers 30 associate degrees and 50 certificate programs.
