The following is a release from Snohomish County:
The Snohomish County Council took action Aug. 12 to disapprove a proposed contract with the county’s largest labor union that was negotiated by Snohomish County Executive John Lovick. The council also directed the executive to continue bargaining with AFSCME, AFL-CIO within the guidelines established by the council earlier this year.
The 3-2 vote to disapprove the tentative agreement reflected councilmembers’ concerns that the executive had failed to negotiate an agreement that was within the parameters established by the council. Under the Snohomish County Charter, the council sets the collective bargaining guidelines and the executive must conduct all bargaining in accordance with those guidelines. The council is also responsible for approving any and all collective bargaining agreements negotiated by the executive.
“This was a very difficult vote,” said Council Chair Dave Somers who noted that this is the first time he has felt the need to disapprove a tentative agreement with a labor union since first taking office in 1998. “I value our county employees and want to treat them fairly, but the council has a responsibility to protect the fiscal health of the county. The executive exceeded the council’s guidelines and negotiated an agreement that we simply cannot afford.”
Other councilmembers expressed concern that the executive had violated the charter by negotiating a verbal tentative agreement with AFSCME that exceeded the collective bargaining guidelines set by the council.
“This saddens me to no end that once again the executive has violated the Snohomish County Charter. I am disappointed to say the least,” said Councilmember Ken Klein.
Commenting on the unprecedented nature of the council’s action, Somers stated that it was important to address the issue before anyone relied upon the executive’s unauthorized actions.
“The public and our employees need to be fully informed about issues that impact the county’s budget and fiscal sustainability,” he said.
In response to the recent Council vote regarding the AFSCME tentative agreement, County Executive John Lovick has issued the following statement:
I am very disappointment in the Council’s action to disapprove the Tentative Agreement with the AFSCME bargaining unit before employees have an opportunity to vote. This action is unjustified and unprecedented in the history of Snohomish County. It’s a slap in the face to workers.
AFSCME is the County’s largest union representing over 1,500 county employees. These employees are skilled and hardworking women and men dedicated to delivering a variety of essential services to the community, from engineering our roads and bridges to providing nursing services to our most vulnerable citizens.
The County’s negotiating team has successfully completed a tentative agreement with AFSCME in good faith and there is agreement between the parties on the specific language incorporated within the written agreement. The agreement reached is consistent with the guidelines discussed with Council, and these negotiations were accomplished pursuant to the Executive’s authority under the County Charter. In fact, the agreement helps put the County on predictable and affordable footing moving forward.
The Council’s unprecedented action puts the County at risk for an almost certain unfair labor practice allegation by the union. As the County Executive, I know that an atmosphere of good-faith negotiations is in the best interest of all parties involved and that this action by the Council undermines this basic principle.
