Ruling pours cold water on jail employees’ free hot meals

The state Public Employment Relations Commission reversed an earlier ruling for union members.

EVERETT — The hot breakfast special at the Snohomish County Jail can come off the menu.

A state commission that oversees disputes involving public employees has overturned a ruling that required the sheriff’s office to feed corrections officers fresh-cooked fare during early morning shifts. Instead, union employees are welcome to the same cold sack meals that inmates get — gratis.

“The past practice is that the employer provided the employees with the same meal that was provided to inmates,” three commissioners wrote in a June 15 decision. “The past practice is not, as the union contends, providing the employees with a hot meal.”

The food fight stems from a decision that county officials made in 2016.

To cut costs, jail administrators opted to stop having hot meals prepared for the 850 or so inmates who wake up each day at the county lockup in downtown Everett. Serving a sack lunch that can be fixed the night before reduced prep time and costs.

The hot-meal issue was among a dozen complaints the Snohomish County Corrections Guild brought to an examiner with the state Public Employment Relations Commission, or PERC. The guild represents more than 200 corrections employees.

Calls and emails to the guild president were not returned last week.

The county’s labor contract with the union provides corrections officers with the same food as inmates, for free, during their shifts. It specifies that they get “the meal provided to confined jail inmates for each day the employee is on duty and remains within the jail facilities during the meal period.”

In January, PERC examiner Stephen Irvin ruled that the change to cold meals violated labor law. He ordered the county to “cease and desist from unlawfully implementing changes to meals provided.” The county should have given the guild notice about the change and the opportunity to bargain, the examiner wrote.

To comply, the jail began putting out a free pot of oatmeal every morning for employees to fill up. That was in addition to a sack-lunch-style meal they offered with items such as fruit and breakfast bars.

“To be honest, we’re not missing much oatmeal every day,” corrections Bureau Chief Tony Aston said.

Both sides appealed aspects of the earlier decision to PERC. In last month’s decision, commissioners largely sided with the county. Other points in dispute included issues such as staffing, a requirement to help with blood draws and holiday meals.

Though no longer required, Aston said the jail will continue to provide the oatmeal. For now, at least.

Costs associated with the food changes weren’t immediately available.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@herald net.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Council denies latest Eastview Village appeal

Council members affirmed previous approvals of the development planned off Cathcart Way near Highway 9.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Everett
Everett police: Man sold drugs to woman prior to fatal overdose

The man, who faces a charge under the state’s controlled substance homicide law, remains in Snohomish County Jail on more than $1M bond.

Missing Marysville boy, 10, found safe and sound

Police said the boy was last seen Sunday morning before leaving to go for a run at a nearby middle school.

Red tape hangs in the front of the entrance to a burned down Center for Human Services building along 204th Street on Monday, July 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood fire destroys behavioral health nonprofit building

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The building housed an intensive mental health support program for youth and families.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Gold Bar in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lynnwood man dies in fatal crash on US 2 near Gold Bar

The Washington State Patrol said the driver was street racing prior to the crash on Friday afternoon.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.