Washington state college faculty union announces strike

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Members of a Washington state community college faculty union are going on strike after the school's administration failed to negotiate a contract, union members announced Friday.

More than 400 faculty members in the Clark College Association for Higher Education will be on strike at the Vancouver college on Monday, union members said.

The school will remain open but all Monday classes are cancelled, including online and non-credit courses, college officials said.

“I regret the impact this will have on our students. I am committed to working with faculty to get students back in class. The College will remain open to provide support services to employees and students,” Clark College’s Interim President Sandra Fowler-Hill said in an email to students.

Faculty have been asking for more equitable pay to attract and keep qualified and committed employees, but negotiations have continued for 15 months, union members said.

Union members unanimously authorized a strike in December, officials said.