Template revised September 22, 2016.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
4i
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
November 14, 2017
DATE: November 8, 2017
TO: Dave Soike, Interim Executive Director
FROM: David Freiboth, Sr. Director, Labor Relations
Milton Ellis, Labor Relations Manager
SUBJECT: New collective Bargaining Agreement between the Port of Seattle and the IAFF,
Local 1257, representing Firefighters.
Total Port Cost Increase for the Duration of the Agreement: $1,163,747.50
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to execute a new collective
bargaining agreement (CBA) between the Port of Seattle and the International Association of
Firefighters, Local 1257, representing Firefighters at the Port of Seattle covering the period
from January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2020.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Good faith bargaining between the International Association of Firefighters, Local 1257, and the
Port of Seattle resulted in a fair collective bargaining agreement consistent with the Port’s
priorities. This agreement is for four years covering the period from January 1, 2017, through
December 31, 2020. The estimated total additional cost for wages and benefit increases is
$1,163,757. The estimated additional cost per year of the contract is: year one, $235,252; year
two, $338,706; year three, $290,616, and year four, $299,172.
The cost is based upon a 2.1 percent increase in wages in year one that is split in half as a lump
sum for the first six months and based building COLA for the last six months, a 2.5% increase in
wages in year two, and an estimated 2.0% cost of living (COLA) increase for years three and four
of the agreement. The Battalion Chiefs and Captains will also receive an additional one percent
differential on the Firefighter A salary rate effective years two (2018), three (2019, and four
(2020) of the agreement.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 4i Page 2 of 4
Meeting Date: November 14, 2017
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
The cost also consists of a three (3) percent increase in health insurance in year one (2017), a
two (2) percent increase in health insurance in year two (2018), and an estimated five (5)
percent increase in health insurance in years three (2019) and four (2020) of the agreement.
The agreement provides for the adoption of a new medical insurance carrier, Northwest
Firefighters Trust, effective January 1, 2018. Premium share contribution by employee will be
shared 50%/50% on the basis of annual plan increases. The agreement also provides for the
continuation of the Voluntary Separation Program which provides a severance of $75,000 for
up to two Firefighters per year who are eligible to retire from the Port of Seattle in years two
(2018), three (2019), and four (2020) of the agreement. A new Self-Contained Breathing
Apparatus position was created. Firefighters will be provided with paid parental leave similar to
non-represented employees. The vacation cash out language was modified to conform with
Port Policy. The total number of Driver Engineer positions on each shift will be at the discretion
of the Fire Chief based upon operational needs. Forty-eight (48) hours of debit days may now
be used for required training pursuant to FAA regulations at the discretion of the Fire Chief.
The equal employment opportunity provision was also modified to conform to both state and
federal law.
JUSTIFICATION
The IAFF, Local 1257 Firefighters bargaining unit consists of 81 employees consisting of
Firefighters (61), Captains (13) and Battalion Chiefs (7). Members of the bargaining group
provide Emergency Services for Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting, Structural Fire Fighting,
Emergency Medical Incidents, Hazardous Material Response, Confined Space Rescue, Fire
Prevention Activities involving Building Inspection, Fueling Inspection, Construction Inspection
and all other fire safety oversight for the Port of Seattle Properties on and around Sea-Tac
Airport. RCW Chapter 41.56 requires the Port of Seattle to collectively bargain wages, hours
and conditions of employment with the exclusive bargaining representative designated by the
employees.
DETAILS
Term of the Agreement
Retroactive to January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2020.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 4i Page 3 of 4
Meeting Date: November 14, 2017
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Wages
Classification
Effective
7/1/17 Base
Monthly Split
COLA Rate
(+1.05%)
1/1/18 Base
Monthly
COLA Rate
(+2.5%)
Effective
1/1/19 Base
Monthly
Rate
Estimated
COLA
(+2.0%)
Effective
1/1/20 Base
Monthly Rate
Estimated
COLA (+2.0%)
Firefighter
$7,946
$8,308
$8,474
Captain
$9,138
$9,720
$9,999
Battalion
Chief
$10,727
$11,382
$11,694
Health and Welfare
The contract provides for the adoption of a new health insurance carrier – Northwest
Firefighters Trust effective January 1, 2018. Coverages include medical, vision and dental
insurance. Medical premium share contributions for employees will be based on a 50%/50%
formula based upon annual plan increases.
Voluntary Separation Program
Up to two employees each year eligible to retire will receive a $75,000 severance commencing
in years two (2018), three (2019) and four (2020) of the agreement.
Vacation Cash Out
The vacation cash out language was modified to conform to Port Policy.
Other Changes
• New Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus position created.
• Paid parental leave provided similar to non-represented employees.
• Total number of Driver Engineer positions on each shift to be determined by the Fire
Chief based upon operational needs
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 4i Page 4 of 4
Meeting Date: November 14, 2017
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
• Forth-eight (48) hours of debit days to be used for required training pursuant to FAA
regulations at the discretion of the Fire Chief.
• Grievance procedure modified to allow IAFF, Local 1257 the ability to assess the validity
of a grievance and determine whether to pursue the grievance through the grievance
process.
• Light duty assignment to be extended at the discretion of the Fire Chief on a case-by-
case basis
• The Equal Employment Opportunity provision was updated to conform to both State
and Federal Law
Cost Impact $
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Pay
$188,087
$153,731
$205,955
$210,344
Benefits
$ 47,165
$184,975
$ 84,662
$88,828
Total
$235,252
$338,706
$290,6,17
$299,172
The estimated total additional cost to the Port of Seattle for the duration of the contract is
$1,163,764.50.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
1. Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Port of Seattle and the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 117, representing Police Specialists in the Port of
Seattle Police Department, covering the period from January 1, 2017, through
December 31, 2020.
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
None