BTC union ends strike

Classes at Bellingham Technical College resumed Friday after a union representing support staff ended a four-day strike.

BTC officials and the Bellingham Educational Support Team – representing classified clerical, technical, instructional and retail support staff – ratified a collective bargaining agreement Thursday night.

BTC’s Board of Trustees will take a formal vote on the agreement at a meeting next week. The college said Friday it will not release details of the settlement until the new contract is approved by the board.

A union spokesman had said earlier the striking workers were looking for a pay increase to keep up with the rising cost of health care and other living expenses.

This story was originally published September 29, 2017 at 7:21 AM with the headline "BTC union ends strike."