Should retired chief of ferries get free rides?

OLYMPIA -- Retired state ferries chief Mike Anderson didn't request a lifetime pass of free fares, but a union to which he once belonged is fighting to get him one.

The Ferry Agents, Supervisors and Project Administrators Association contends Anderson deserves the perk provided to current and retired members under terms of its labor contract.

Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond said it's not going to happen.

"I don't think he's entitled," she said Monday. "I find it bad practice for the managers of state agencies to get a lifetime benefit for something for which they did not bargain."

Anderson said Tuesday he did not ask the union to act on his behalf.

It did so nonetheless. When its initial request was rejected, the union filed a grievance March 3. It withdrew it March 17.

"Because Mr. Anderson was not part of the bargaining unit, the union could not file a grievance on his behalf and the union decided to withdraw it," said Jessica Todorovich, labor and employees relation manager for the Department of Transportation.

The matter is not over, said union president Vern Rosbach.

"It is still up in the air, so I can't really talk about it," he said.

Rosbach would not elaborate on what motivated the union request, its decision to file a grievance then pull it back and whether it will file another complaint against the agency.

"I can't comment on it right now. Not at this point," he said.

Anderson said he has not spoken with Rosbach but presumed the union is pushing the matter on principle because it believes it is a negotiated benefit that must be granted.

"If it is a contractual right that I'm entitled to, I should get it. If it is not, then I shouldn't," he said. "I'm OK with it either way."

A pass to ride the ferries free is a long-standing benefit for current and retired employees negotiated into eight contracts with maritime unions representing 1,580 employees in Washington State Ferries.

Since 2004, Washington State Ferries has issued passes to 219 retirees and 142 spouses of retirees.

Under the ferry agents' contract, a person employed at least six months can obtain a pass for one car that can be used by the employee and his or her spouse and dependents. After two years, a pass for a second car can be obtained.

The pass allows free travel on boats that are not full. If a particular boat they want to ride on is full, they are supposed to pay. Employees must always wait their turn in line to board.

The value of this benefit depends on how often it is used and on what routes. On the Edmonds-Kingston route, the one-way fare for a car and driver is $11.55, whereas the charge is $6.85 for car and driver on the Mukilteo-Clinton route.

Anderson retired in December after a 34-year career in the ferry system. He now works for KPFF Consulting Engineers in Seattle as director of its marine transit group.

Anderson started with the ferry system in 1973 as a ticket seller. He rose through the ranks to director of operations and was tapped for the top ferry job in 2004 by then-Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald.

After becoming ferries chief, he said he took "official withdrawal" from the union, although he believed he retained the rights accorded union members.

Anderson could have resigned as ferries director, rejoined the union, worked one day as a terminal supervisor then retired and likely received a pass without question.

He chose not to do that.

"It was not an issue that was that important to me," he said, adding that he hasn't ridden a ferry since leaving the state agency.



Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.