April 13, 2018

After the ratification of the King County Master Labor Agreement in late January, the Teamsters Local 174 King County rank-and-file bargaining committee was given a brief respite before launching back into bargaining with the County last month. The new subject of negotiations is “Total Comp,” which covers contract economics.

The historic Master Labor Agreement and Local 174 Appendix that passed earlier this year contained all the contract language to protect our members’ rights on the job. It also contained a 3.25% general wage increase for 2018. Now, the process continues as the negotiating team – led by Local 174 Senior Business Agent Michael Gonzales and co-chaired by PTE 17’s Cecilia Mena – bargains over wages, healthcare and other economic conditions for 2019 and 2020.

The Union side recently gave the County our initial economic proposal. At those negotiations, the County’s Budget Director Dwight Dively gave a presentation about the County’s financial situation. The presentation focused on the County’s budget shortfalls, despite the strong local economy – mainly due to the limitations on counties in Washington State collecting sales and property tax.

After hearing the County’s Budget Director paint a grim picture of the County’s financial health, Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks said: “I hope the County does not try to play a game of lowballing our members, jeopardizing all the goodwill achieved through the success of the Master Labor Agreement. It is still very early in the process and we are confident that with the efficiencies the County gained through the MLA, these negotiations will result in pay and benefit improvements for our members at King County.”

Negotiations will resume on April 19 and 26, at which point the County is expected to present their initial economic proposals.

Founded in 1909, Teamsters Local 174 represents 7,200 working men and women in the Seattle area. “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeamstersLocal174.