Highline Professional Staff
Empowering Professionals. Strengthening Our Campus.
We Did It – 71% Voted YES for a Union!! 🎉
The vast majority (71%) of Exempt Staff have signed authorization cards in favor of forming a union and affiliating with AFT Washington!
What’s next?
Updates on our union authorization petition with the State Labor Board
- The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for our union. Here’s the latest:
- You may have seen flyers around campus announcing a card count date, which included a list of about 70 names of eligible unit members. That list was inaccurate and has since been rescinded, and the card count delayed.
- Representatives from AFT Washington and Highline have been meeting to discuss the makeup of our union. Right now, the college is contesting a number of assistant directors it claims supervise other bargaining unit members. We are actively working to include as many exempt staff as possible in our union. If you are unclear about your status, please contact AFT Washington representative Kaitlin Gillespie with clarifying questions (206-604-8877 or kgillespie@aftwa.org).
- We have demanded voluntary recognition of our union. That’s what prompted Interim President Jamilyn Penn’s message last week. She has not answered explicit questions regarding voluntary recognition, leaving us in a frustrating limbo of non-answers.
- We are working with the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) to reschedule a card count.
- Though the bureaucratic process has been slow and frustrating, none of this should stop us from continuing to mobilize and organize toward first contract negotiations. Several of you have spoken out this month in support of our union. Thank you for your leadership and bravery!
Bargaining
After the initial review period, we will formally demand to bargain with our employer. Once Highline’s management either agrees to bargain, or is legally compelled to bargain, we can begin the important work of negotiating our first contract and turning this victory into meaningful improvements for everyone.
Our organizing committee has decided to make use of an open and transparent bargaining process, meaning we will request open bargaining as a ground rule for negotiations. This means anybody who is part of our union can come to the negotiations sessions.
Read the Whole Post in our Blog
Updated: April 27, 2026
Sign your authorization card today!
- Vote YES on forming our union!
- Be a part of Highline history!
- Get representation, protections, and bargaining power, just like our classified staff and faculty have!
Our Mission:
The Exempt staff of Highline are forming a union with the American Federation of Teachers because we love working at Highline College and want staying here for the long-term to be possible. We want to be able to negotiate for better pay and annual raises, accountability in the workplace, job security, and better access to workplace accommodations.
Will you sign to join your union?
Together we can bargain for better working conditions, including:
Wages & Compensation
Competitive Wages and Pay Scales
Time Off, Leave, & Childcare
Including flextime and remote days when applicable
Accessibility & Equity
Also, Health, Safety, and Adequate Workplaces
Job Security & Layoff Protections
Including adequate notification and just cause and International Employee Rights, Support, & Retention
Grievance & arbitration
Stronger discrimination, Harassment Reporting, & Resolution Processes
Benefits
Such as tuition, fee waivers, health care, mentorship
“Our power is in our unity. Our strength is in our solidarity.”
Dolores Huerta
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