COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
8c
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
April 11, 2023
DATE: April 5, 2023
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Mikel O’Brien, 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
Non-Sworn Communication Supervisors
Total Port Cost Increase for the Duration of the Agreement: $90,492
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 Non-Sworn Communication Supervisors at the Police
Department for the Port of Seattle covering the period from January 1, 2023, through December
31, 2025.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Good faith bargaining between the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 117,
representing Non-Sworn Communication Supervisors and the Port of Seattle resulted in a fair
collective bargaining agreement consistent with the Port’s priorities.
There are currently three (3) Non-Sworn Communication Supervisors, and one vacant position,
employed at the Port of Seattle who are assigned to the Port of Seattle Police Department. Non-
Sworn Communication Supervisors are assigned to the Port of Seattle Police Department and
supervise the Police/Fire Communications Specialists in the 911 call Center.
This agreement is for three years covering the period from January 1, 2023, through
December 31, 2025. The estimated total additional cost for wages and benefit increases is
$90,492.
The estimated cumulative cost per year of the contract is: year one, $42,780; year two, $26,059
and year three, $21,653.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c
Meeting Date: April 11, 2023
Page 2 of 5
The cost is based upon a Cost of Living increase in year one of the agreement, plus an additional
three percent (3.0%); a Cost of Living increase in year two of the agreement, plus an additional
two percent (2.0%); and a Cost of Living increase in year three of the agreement, plus an
additional one percent (1.0%).
The cost also consists of a 4.3% increase in health insurance in year one of the agreement and an
estimated 4.0% increase in health insurance in years two and three of the agreement.
Other additions to the agreement consist of an addition to the Equal Employment Opportunity
provision wherein both the Port and the Union commit to promoting equity, diversity and
inclusion in the workplace; modification of the jury duty compensation procedure in which
employees are no longer required to remit any payment from the court to the Port payroll
department; the inclusion of aunts and uncles in the definition of the immediate family under
the Bereavement Leave provision of the agreement; an addition to the hours of work section of
the agreement that specifies that work schedules shall be selected annually by seniority no later
than December 15
th
.
The holiday provision was modified to reflect a pool of holiday hours with a limit on holiday hours
being cashed out in the first cash out period, June, and that holiday hours will only be reported
to the Department of Retirement Services if used. Employees in the bargaining unit medical
premium contributions will increase from $125 per month to $150 per month effective in year
two of the agreement. The longevity provision in the agreement was adjusted to allow employees
to receive longevity credit for the duration of their employment with the Port.
Other additions include the adoption of Washington paid sick leave law language in compliance
with state law; and an acknowledgement that the Port will comply with State law when
information is being requested from a bargaining unit members personnel file based on a public
records request.
JUSTIFICATION
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, 2023, through December 31, 2025.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c
Meeting Date: April 11, 2023
Page 3 of 5
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Wages
Classification
Service Time
Effective
1/1/23
Base
Hourly Rate
(COLA) +
3.0%
1/1/24
Base
Hourly Rate
(Estimated
+3.0% COLA)
Effective 1/1/25
Base Hourly Rate
(Estimated 3.0% COLA)
+ 1.0%
Non-Sworn
Communications
Supervisor
Entry
$50.25
$54.86
1 Year
$53.04
$57.91
2 Year
$55.83
$60.96
Employees were provided with a Cost of Living increase in year one of the agreement based on
the Seattle/Tacoma/Bellevue CPI-U (All Urban Consumers) October 2021 to October 2022 Index
(effective January 1, 2023), plus an additional three percent (3.0%) increase; an estimated 3.0%
Cost of Living increase in year two of the agreement based on the Seattle/Tacoma/Bellevue CPI-
U (All Urban Consumers) October 2022 to October 2023 Index (effective January 1, 2024), plus
an additional two percent (2.0%) increase; and an estimated 3.0% Cost of Living increase in year
three of the agreement based on the Seattle/Tacoma/Bellevue CPI-U (All Urban Consumers)
October 2023 to October 2024 Index (effective January 1, 2025), plus an addition one percent
(1.0%) increase.
Health and Welfare
Members of the bargaining group are currently enrolled in Teamsters Medical Plan A where they
are contributing one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) 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 twenty-five dollars ($25) in year two of the agreement. Total employee medical
contribution will therefore increase to one hundred fifty dollars ($150) per month effective in
year two of the agreement.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c
Meeting Date: April 11, 2023
Page 4 of 5
Holiday
Employees will be provided with a pool of one hundred fifty (150) leave hours that are not tied
to specific Port holidays. Employees will be permitted to cash out holiday leave hours twice a
year, June and December, with a limit of not more than seventy (70) hours being allowed for an
employee to cash out in June. Also, only holiday hours that are used will be reported to the
Department of Retirement Service.
Longevity
Employees in the bargaining unit only received Longevity credit based on their time in the
bargaining unit. The longevity provision has been modified to allow for longevity credit to include
the entire time the employee has been employed with the Port.
Other Changes
• Modification to the Sick Leave provision in accordance with the Washington State Paid
sick leave law.
• Equal Employment Opportunity modified to reflect the Port and Union’s commitment to
diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Modification of the definition of immediate family for bereavement leave to include
Aunts and Uncles.
• Personal File – Public Records request for information in employee’s personnel file
administered in accordance with RCW 42.56.250 (12).
Cost Impact $
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Pay
$33,841
$20,728
$16,185
Benefits
$8,939
$5,331
$5,468
Total New Money
$42,780
$26,059
$21,653
Total Cumulative
Cost
$42,780
$68,839
$90,492
The estimated total additional cost to the Port of Seattle for the duration of the contract is
$90,492.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Collective Bargaining Agreement
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c
Meeting Date: April 11, 2023
Page 5 of 5
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