Published: Saturday, December 29, 2007
Long-awaited deal raises pay for jail officers
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Dan Bates / The Herald
Custody officer K. Witte (right) speaks to an inmate worker (left) at the Snohomish County Jail on Friday while custody officer C. Postlethaite (center) transports inmates back to their cells from a video court session.
After years without a raise, corrections officers in the Snohomish County jail can expect a roughly 15 percent pay increase under a labor contract approved this week.
It's the first contract between Snohomish County and the Snohomish County Corrections Guild, whose members broke away from the Teamsters Local 763 in 2004.
The decision puts an end to years of contract negotiations, but marks a first milestone in the guild's battle with the county, said John Rubio, second vice president of the guild.
"We didn't get exactly what we wanted," he said. "The wages and everything were nice, but we're looking for better working conditions."
The two sides differed over wages, health insurance, how long the contract should last and a proposed code of conduct for jail workers.
Guild members worked under 2004 wages until this week. Arbitrator William Reeves on Wednesday approved a 12 percent raise through the end of this year for corrections officers, plus a 3.3 percent increase starting Jan. 1.
The guild has about 200 members who work as corrections officers.
"We're all very happy to have this done," said Deanna Dawson, a county executive director who advises County Executive Aaron Reardon on law and justice issues. "It's a fair contract."
The county has overspent its overtime budget for corrections officers and other positions in the jail. The 2007 overtime budget was about $2 million. About $2.8 million has been spent this year.
Total corrections department spending is expected to be under budget because the county saved money on salaries, which offset the higher overtime costs, Dawson said.
The higher wages should help with recruiting additional workers, which in turn should ease overtime spending, Dawson said.
Rubio disagrees. He said a $5,000 hiring bonus for corrections officers in King County is more attractive, and forced overtime at the Snohomish County jail makes working conditions unpredictable and difficult.
Even as some celebrate approval of a contract, current and former guild members who claim they were wrongly fired or discriminated against plan a string of claims for damages and lawsuits, Rubio said.
"We'll be filing even more of them," Rubio said. "I'm not enjoying this at all. I don't know why the county wants all this mess."
County negotiators had asked that a special code of conduct be approved for jail guards. Reeves turned down the request. He said the county already has codes of conduct on the books.
The contract is good through Dec. 31, 2009, a date requested by the county executive's office. Guild members wanted a contract through the end of 2008.
Pay increases in 2009 will be equal to the rate of inflation, as long as it is between 2.5 percent and 5 percent.
Monthly medical insurance costs will be halved, from $496 to about $235 for a full family.
Paperwork to approve the contract will be sent to the County Council and Reardon for approval in January.
It's the first contract between Snohomish County and the Snohomish County Corrections Guild, whose members broke away from the Teamsters Local 763 in 2004.
The decision puts an end to years of contract negotiations, but marks a first milestone in the guild's battle with the county, said John Rubio, second vice president of the guild.
"We didn't get exactly what we wanted," he said. "The wages and everything were nice, but we're looking for better working conditions."
The two sides differed over wages, health insurance, how long the contract should last and a proposed code of conduct for jail workers.
Guild members worked under 2004 wages until this week. Arbitrator William Reeves on Wednesday approved a 12 percent raise through the end of this year for corrections officers, plus a 3.3 percent increase starting Jan. 1.
The guild has about 200 members who work as corrections officers.
"We're all very happy to have this done," said Deanna Dawson, a county executive director who advises County Executive Aaron Reardon on law and justice issues. "It's a fair contract."
The county has overspent its overtime budget for corrections officers and other positions in the jail. The 2007 overtime budget was about $2 million. About $2.8 million has been spent this year.
Total corrections department spending is expected to be under budget because the county saved money on salaries, which offset the higher overtime costs, Dawson said.
The higher wages should help with recruiting additional workers, which in turn should ease overtime spending, Dawson said.
Rubio disagrees. He said a $5,000 hiring bonus for corrections officers in King County is more attractive, and forced overtime at the Snohomish County jail makes working conditions unpredictable and difficult.
Even as some celebrate approval of a contract, current and former guild members who claim they were wrongly fired or discriminated against plan a string of claims for damages and lawsuits, Rubio said.
"We'll be filing even more of them," Rubio said. "I'm not enjoying this at all. I don't know why the county wants all this mess."
County negotiators had asked that a special code of conduct be approved for jail guards. Reeves turned down the request. He said the county already has codes of conduct on the books.
The contract is good through Dec. 31, 2009, a date requested by the county executive's office. Guild members wanted a contract through the end of 2008.
Pay increases in 2009 will be equal to the rate of inflation, as long as it is between 2.5 percent and 5 percent.
Monthly medical insurance costs will be halved, from $496 to about $235 for a full family.
Paperwork to approve the contract will be sent to the County Council and Reardon for approval in January.
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