EVERETT – After years of tough negotiations over wages and medical insurance premiums, sheriff’s deputies and Snohomish County officials have agreed on a tentative contract, with the settlement including $2.7 million in back pay.
Once the contract is formally approved, it will mark the first time sheriff’s deputies will be required to contribute to their medical premiums.
The county’s 247 sheriff’s deputies have worked without a contract since March 2003.
“I think it has been a hard road for both sides,” Sheriff Rick Bart said.
He said the raises are long overdue for deputies. “I think morale will be a lot better and things will look up for deputies and their families,” Bart said.
The major sticking points during negotiations were pay, medical benefits and work schedules, said Doug Pendergrass, president of the Snohomish County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
“I think there was movement and compromise from both sides,” Pendergrass said.
About 200 deputies out of the 247 in the union voted on the tentative contract in July. It didn’t garner overwhelming support, but it passed by a majority vote, Pendergrass said.
“Did we get everything we wanted? No. Is everyone happy? No,” he said. “It’s the end of a very long process, and it’s reasonable.”
The proposed contract would expire in March 2007 and includes $2.7 million in back wages and medical benefits since 2003. For 2006, the county is budgeting an additional $1.7 million in wages as a result of the proposed contract.
“I don’t think it’s enough. We’d rather see us get closer to King County (sheriff’s deputies) in pay,” Pendergrass said.
For the first time, deputies will have to contribute to their medical insurance. Under the basic insurance plan, deputies with dependents, spouses or families will have to pay up to $50 a month. The rates are higher for deputies who choose two other insurance plans, Pendergrass said.
The association retained its ability to discuss work hours with Bart as part of the contract.
Most patrol deputies work eight hours a day, five days a week. Deputies would like to discuss alternative schedules, such as 12-hour shifts.
“We want to look at various schedules that meet the needs of the county, the citizens and maybe give deputies more than two days off,” Pendergrass said.
Pendergrass signed the contract agreement on Monday. It is expected to reach the Snohomish County Council for final consideration in September.
“We’re pleased it’s coming to a conclusion,” deputy executive Mark Soine said. “It’s been a long process.”
“We think that it’s fair both to the county and the deputies and the taxpayers,” he added.
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