In brief: EWU administrators, faculty agree on salary
The United Faculty of Eastern and the Eastern Washington University administration have reached a tentative agreement on salary and other issues, after negotiations reached an impasse and went to mediation.
The deal, which must still be ratified by union members and the Board of Trustees, would provide raises over two years of 9 percent to 10 percent, depending on faculty rank. Don Richter, president of the UFE, said the deal begins to address the disparity in faculty salaries between EWU and its peer institutions. “I think it’s a fair agreement,” he said. “It doesn’t get us where we need to be in terms of salary, but it is a good step in that direction.”
EWU President Rodolfo Arevalo said he was pleased with the agreement.
The salary package includes annual raises of 4.2 percent for most faculty, plus $500 increases for associate and full professors. In addition, faculty will be receive a one-time 1 percent payment.
– Shawn Vestal
Washington state
Widespread influenza hits Washington
Washington is experiencing widespread influenza, health officials say, although it “is what we would expect this time of year,” said Dr. Marcia Goldoft, acting state epidemiologist.
The state’s flu activity started in the second week of January, then peaked at the start of February with 55 positive influenza specimens in one week, “a little above most years,” she said. “The vaccine is not a precise match this year,” Goldoft added. “You can get influenza even if you’ve been vaccinated.”
– The (Vancouver) Columbian
BOISE
Bill to make milk state drink withdrawn
Rep. Branden Durst, D-Boise, on Thursday withdrew his bill to make milk Idaho’s official state drink, before it could be voted on by the House.
Durst said he has received close to 50 calls and emails about the bill – all negative. “There were folks that felt like it was a waste of time – I took a bit of umbrage to that,” Durst said. His focus was on fighting child obesity by encouraging kids to drink milk rather than soda.
Other feedback focused on concerns about the dairy industry in Idaho and its effects on neighbors and the environment. Durst also got a few complaints from lactose intolerant Idahoans.
– Betsy Z. Russell