Template revised September 22, 2016.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
6g
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
October 22, 2019
DATE: October 4, 2019
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: David Freiboth, Senior Director of Labor Relations
Milton Ellis, Labor Relations Manager
SUBJECT: New collective bargaining agreement between the Port of Seattle and the
International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 117, Teamsters, representing Police
Specialists.
Total Port Cost Increase for the Duration of the Agreement: $131,339
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
Teamsters, Local 117, representing Police Specialists at the Police Department covering the
period from July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2021.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Good faith bargaining between the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 117,
representing Police Specialists and the Port of Seattle resulted in a fair collective bargaining
agreement consistent with the Port’s priorities.
There are currently eight (8) Police Specialists employed at the Port of Seattle who are assigned
to the Port of Seattle Police Department. Police Specialists provide administrative support to the
Port of Seattle Police Department consisting of reception, payroll, fleet management, records
management, crime statistics, customer service, administrative work for detectives, and training
support.
This agreement is for three years covering the period from July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2021.
The estimated total cumulative cost for wages and benefit increases is $131,339. The estimated
cumulative cost per year of the contract is: year one, $21,124 year two, $45,346; and year three,
$64,869.
The cost is based upon a 3.5% increase in year one of the agreement; a 2.4% cost of living increase
in year two of the agreement, plus an additional 1.0% above the cost of living increase; and a
3.0%increase in year three of the agreement.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 6g Page 2 of 4
Meeting Date: October 22, 2019
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
The cost also consists of a 3.49% increase in health insurance in year one of the agreement and
an estimated 3.18% increase in health insurance in years two and three of the agreement.
Other changes consist of modifying the Union Security provisions of the agreement to comply
with state law.
In addition, employees will be enrolled in the Teamsters Retiree Welfare Plus XL plan effective in
year two of the agreement. The Port is currently paying $47.43 per month toward the Teamsters
Retiree Welfare Plus plan and will contribute an additional $2.58 per employee toward the
monthly premium cost of this new Teamsters Retiree Plus XL plan for the term of the agreement.
Employees will also pay an additional $50 per month in employee premium share for medical
insurance for a total of $125 per month effective year three of the agreement.
The Port’s contribution to the Teamsters Pacific Coast Benefit Trust supplemental pension plan
will increase from $1.35 per compensated hour per employee to $1.40 per compensated hour
per employee in year three of the agreement (July 1, 2020).
Changes were also made to the sick leave and the Washington State family medical leave
provision to comply with state law. The Equal Employment Opportunity provision was modified
to comply with state and federal law. Paid parental leave as provided in Port Policy was
incorporated in the agreement. Commuter benefits relating to the ORCA Card program and ferry
reimbursement pursuant to Port policy were also incorporated into the agreement.
JUSTIFICATION
RCW Chapter 41.56 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 July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2021.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Wages
Classification
Current
Rate
Effective
7/1/18 Base
Hourly Rate
(+3.5%
COLA)
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 6g Page 3 of 4
Meeting Date: October 22, 2019
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
Police
Specialists
$22.94
$23.74
Employees were provided with a 3.5% increase in year one of the agreement; a 2.4% cost of living
increase in year two of the agreement based on the Seattle/Tacoma/Bellevue CPI-U (All Urban
Consumers) April 2018 to April 2019 Index (effective June 1, 2019), plus an additional 1.0% above
the cost of living increase; and a 3.0% increase in year three of the agreement.
Health and Welfare
Members of the bargaining group are currently enrolled in Teamsters Medical Plan A where they
are contributing $75 per month toward the cost of their medical insurance. The contract provides
for an increase in the amount of premium share paid by employees of $50 in year three of the
agreement. Total employee medical contribution will therefore increase to $125 per month in
year three of the agreement.
Eligible employees will also be enrolled in the Teamsters Retiree Welfare Plus XL plan effective
January 1, 2020, with the Port paying an additional $2.58 per month per employee for the term
of the agreement.
Pacific Coast Benefit Trust
The Port’s contribution to the Teamsters Pacific Coast Benefit Trust supplemental pension plan
will increase from $1.35 per compensated hour per employee to $1.40 per compensated hour
per employee in year three of the agreement (July 1, 2020).
New Employee Orientation
The Union will now have up to thirty (30) minutes to meet with new employees during the new
employee orientation in accordance with state law.
Other Changes
• Union Security provisions modified to comply with state law;
• Paid parental leave Memorandum of Understanding was incorporated into the
agreement
• Commuter benefits relating to the ORCA Card program and ferry reimbursement pursuant
to Port policy were incorporated into the agreement.
• The sick leave provision was modified to conform to the new Washington State sick leave
law.
• The Family Medical Leave provision was modified to conform with the Washington Paid
Family and Medical Leave Act.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 6g Page 4 of 4
Meeting Date: October 22, 2019
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
• The Union Security Provision language regarding mandatory union membership was
deleted to comply with Federal law.
Cost Impact $
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Pay
$18,552
$19,201
$17,034
Benefits
$2,573
$5,021
$2,489
Total New Money
$21,124
$24,222
$19,523
Total Cumulative
Cost
$21,124
$45,346
$64,869
The estimated total cumulative cost to the Port of Seattle for the duration of the contract is
$131,339.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
1. Collective Bargaining Agreement
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
June 13, 2017