Last month, the Edmonds City Council filled a vacant position on the council, selecting Michael Nelson, a resident of the Westgate neighborhood.
All who serve in public office bring their own experience, biases and agendas. Our state is built on the populist principle of citizen leaders and the belief that their diverse interests add value to the decision making process. Nelson, however, brings a set of interests that put the city in a real predicament, and which potentially harm the interests of citizens.
As the executive director of the Washington State Council of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Nelson has a financial interest in the dues collection and success of the SEIU.
SEIU local 925 is the union that represents the interests of the city’s clerical, professional and technical employees. The mission of the union through bargaining, grievances and other advocacy is to make certain that employees’ compensation increases, workload decreases and job security is high.
This creates a profound conflict of interest for a man who makes a living paid in part by the union dues of city employees.
Citizens, taxpayers and those receiving services from the city have an interest in an outstanding team of employees, but they also want the cost of government to be fair and reasonable. They want accountability for employees’ work or misdeeds. They do not want to be overcharged for services above the market rate.
As elected officials, the city council is supposed to give voice to those interests, and they are responsible for making the most effective use of taxpayers’ funds.
Edmonds is not a profiteering organization, and every dollar saved can be used to broaden the range of services the community receives.
Currently, the City Council of Edmonds is negotiating a new union contract with SEIU 925.
So who does Councilman Nelson represent when he helps guide the bargaining strategy and votes on the final agreement? Does he represent his employer who collects money from city employees to accomplish their financial and job security objectives or does he represent the citizens who seek effective use of tax funds and government accountability?
As a member of the council, can he relate the city’s bargaining position to his employer, the SEIU, who represents the other side of the bargaining table? When his campaign for election this fall begins, will employees’ dues money be used to secure his election on the council? Who does he represent if that happens?
Citizens of Edmonds and the city itself should ask Councilman Nelson to recuse himself from the entire collective bargaining process because of his conflict of interest.
Voters should also consider the wisdom of electing a city leader who is in a position to sacrifice citizens’ interests to those of the union.
Jami Lund is a policy analyst for the Freedom Foundation, a conservative policy organization in Olympia. He can be reached at jlund@myfreedomfoundation.com.
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