Bates Technical College followed the law this year when it made plans to lay off five faculty members, a state administrative law judge has concluded.
But the faculty union, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), says the law is flawed.
Bates’ board of trustees declared a financial emergency earlier this year, giving the college more flexibility to make layoffs than union representatives believe is necessary.
In addition to the loss of five faculty positions, another nine job cuts are planned, said Bates spokeswoman Edie Jeffers. Since 2008, Bates has undergone three rounds of layoffs and reduced its work force by about 35. The college employs 329, including 139 faculty members.
The college hopes to find nearly $2 million in savings to stabilize its budget, Jeffers said. That includes $1.5 million in state funding cuts.
AFT Washington President Sandra Schroeder said the college has rebuffed union attempts to find other savings that would help save faculty jobs.
College trustees learned of the administrative findings this week and will review them at their meeting scheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Bates campus board room in downtown Tacoma.
Debbie Cafazzo, staff writer
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