EPIC workers protest in Sunnyside

By LEAH BETH WARD
Yakima Herald-Republic

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YAKIMA, Wash. -- Unionized teachers and staff at EPIC in Sunnyside protested Tuesday what they claim is management's failure to negotiate a contract.

Members of SEIU Local 925, based in Seattle, represents 350 employees at EPIC's various locations around Yakima County. Contract talks started in February.

"EPIC negotiators have come with few serious proposals ... and have proposed cuts which would hurt the workforce and the children they serve," said a news release issued Tuesday by SEIU.

The union is angry that the agency is spending $700,000 in federal stimulus money to help employees get associate and bachelor's degrees in early childhood education instead of using it for salary and benefit increases.

"Teachers and staff at EPIC fully support making college more attainable," Angie Solis, a teacher at the Prosser site, said in a news release. "We're concerned, though, about where that federal money is really going to end up. EPIC couldn't possibly spend that much on our B.A.s over the next year."

Under Congress' recent reauthorization of the federal Head Start program, Head Start instructional personnel must have an associate's degree by 2011 and a bachelor's degree by 2013.

Steve Mitchell, EPIC chief executive, said the union is misinformed.

"They need to read the stimulus information," Mitchell said. "It's sad they have that mindset. These things are not optional."

 

* Leah Beth Ward can be reached at 577-7626 or lward@yakimaherald.com.

 

 



Commentsicon2
Posted by Nick at 05/13/09 05:09AM        Post ID#: #3708

My experience with EPIC is that it is nothing much more than a welfare daycare service for Hispanics. My niece was on welfare at the time with a daughter who was "eligible in every way except one, for their enrollment - she was told the program was only for "immigrants". (This happened at the Parker facility.) If this "qualification" is true, they surely don't have any sympathy from me and should be completely shut down for being a racist organization, as far as I am concerned.

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Posted by YakRob at 05/13/09 07:31AM        Post ID#: #3712

Nick - you brought up the "qualification" as fact based on information from your daughter - then you proceed to question if the "qualification" is true - is it, or isn't it? Why don't you do a bit more research before you make a statement that is divisive - otherwise you just sound bitter and racist yourself and you disparage an organization that is working to make our ENTIRE community and it's children healthier.

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