Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies have unanimously rejected a contract settlement proposed by the county, likely sending contract talks to arbitration.
Deputies have been working without a contract for 22 months.
The sticking points continue to be pay, benefits and work schedules, said Ty Trenary, president of the county Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
“None of us expect to be millionaires,” he said. “We were looking for a cost-of-living increase. We don’t feel like we’re being fairly compensated.”
The settlement was turned down Jan. 31 by a vote of 217 deputies, he said.
“We were disappointed. We thought we’d made a very fair and reasonable offer,” Snohomish County deputy executive Gary Weikel said.
Both sides agree arbitration is likely the next step.
“I think the sides are so polarized that’s the only way out from this point,” Trenary said.
The county and deputy sheriff’s association already have tried resolving the contract dispute through mediation, Weikel said.
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