COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
ACTION ITEM

Item No.
Date of Meeting

DATE:

March 19, 2018

TO:

Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director

FROM:

David Freiboth, Senior Director of Labor Relations
Matthew Bullock, Labor Relations Manager

6c
March 27, 2018

SUBJECT: New collective bargaining agreement with the International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers, Local 46, representing Utility Workers.
Total Port Cost Increase for the Duration of the Agreement: $48,411
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to execute a new collective
bargaining agreement between the Port of Seattle and the International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers, Local 46, representing seven Utility Workers assigned to the Port of Seattle
Aviation Maintenance and Maritime Maintenance divisions, covering the period from June 1,
2017, through May 31, 2020.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Good faith bargaining between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 46,
and the Port of Seattle resulted in a fair collective bargaining agreement (CBA) consistent with
the Port's priorities. This agreement is for three years covering the period from June 1, 2017,
through May 31, 2020. The estimated total additional cost for wages and benefit increases is
$48,411. The estimated additional cost per year of the contract is: year one, $4,553; year two,
$16,022; and year three, $27,836.
The cost is based upon a June 1, 2017, COLA Seattle/Tacoma/Bremerton CPI-U increase in
wages in year one, an increase of 3.0% in year two, and an estimated cost of living (COLA) in
year three of the agreement. The increases to retirement contributions are offset by a
decrease in the Port's portion of the health insurance premium in years one and two of the
agreement.
The sick leave provision of the agreement was modified to comply with new Washington State
sick leave law effective January 1, 2018.

Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA - Action Item No. 6c
Meeting Date: March 27, 2018

Page 2 of 3

JUSTIFICATION
The seven Utility Workers in the bargaining unit are responsible for ensuring the myriad light
fixtures at the Aviation and Maritime divisional properties are equipped with functioning bulbs,
ballasts, etc.
Chapter 41.56 RCW requires the Port of Seattle to collectively bargaining wages, hours and
conditions of employment with the exclusive bargaining representative designated by the
employees.
DETAILS
Term of the Agreement
Retroactive to June 1, 2017, through May 31, 2020.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Wages
Classification Service Effective
Time
6/1/17 COLA
Seattle/Tacoma/Bremerton
CPI-U (0-6%)
(+3.7%)
Utility
Entry
$24.99
Worker

Effective
6/1/18 Base
Hourly Rate
(+3.0%)

Effective
6/1/19 Base
Hourly Rate
CPI Estimate

53.1% of the Port
Journeyman
Wireman hourly
wage rate

53.1% of the Port
Journeyman
Wireman
hourly
wage rate

Other Changes


Modified non-discrimination provision to current Port standard.



Modified classifications to include General Foreman and Utility Assistant to Wireman
General Foreman.



Incorporated phone consultation pay provision.



Removed Variable Annuity provision which longer existed as a Union Trust Fund
election.



Modified Paid Time Off Cash Out provision to current Port standard.



Increased footwear stipend from $100 to $150.

Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA - Action Item No. 6c
Meeting Date: March 27, 2018
Cost Impact $
Pay
Benefits
Total

Year 1
$11,565
-$ 7,012
$4,553

Page 3 of 3

Year 2
$9,724
$1,745
$11,470

Year 3
$10,016
$1,798
$11,814

The estimated total additional cost to the Port of Seattle for the duration of the contract is
$48,411.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
1. Collective Bargaining Agreement
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
None.

Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.