Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION

AGENDA MEMORANDUM

Item No.

ACTION ITEM

Date of Meeting

March 26, 2024

DATE: March 26, 2024

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 Association of Firefighters Union, Local 1257, representing Fire Alarm

Technicians

Total Port Cost Increase for the Duration of the Agreement: $ 0

ACTION REQUESTED

Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to execute a new collective

bargaining agreement between the Port of Seattle and the International Association of

Firefighters, Local 1257, representing Fire Alarm Technicians at the Port Fire Department

covering the period from March 26, 2024, through December 31, 2024.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Good faith bargaining between the International Association of Firefighters, Local 1257,

representing Fire Alarm Technicians and the Port of Seattle resulted in a fair collective bargaining

agreement consistent with the Port’s priorities.

There are currently two (2) Fire Alarm Technicians employed at the Port of Seattle who are

assigned to the Port of Seattle Fire Department. The Fire Alarm Technicians are responsible for

working on the Fire Alarm systems on Port properties. Their primary function consists of

maintaining and repairing fire alarm and sprinkler system configurations on Port properties.

The Fire Alarm Technicians were removed from the Firefighters contract because they were not

eligible to be enrolled in the Law Enforcement and Firefighters (LEOFF) retirement system similar

to Firefighters.

As a result, they were not interested arbitration eligible pursuant to RCW 41.56.

They therefore had to form their own bargaining unit. This new contract provides the two Fire

Alarm Technicians with some of the same benefits that they currently receive under the

Firefighters contract.

The two Fire Alarm Technicians are currently members of the Firefighters contract. They will be removed from

the Firefighters contract effective March 26, 2024.

COMMISSION AGENDA– Action Item No. 8f Page 2 of 5

Meeting Date: March 26, 2024

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

This contract represents a first-time agreement for this bargaining group. The agreement is for

nine (9) months covering the period from March 26, through December 31, 2024. The estimated

total cumulative cost for wages and benefits increase is $291,164.

The cost is based upon an increase of 5.4% of the base monthly rate of $10,834 (which includes

a nine percent (9.0%) premium for the Fire Alarm Technicians being on day shift and on-call for

the nine months of the agreement from March 26, 2024, through December 31, 2024.

The cost also consists of a zero percent (0%) increase in health insurance for the term of the

agreement.

Other additions to the agreement consist of a Non-Discrimination provision that recognize the

promotion of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace; union leave provision of up to 16

hours per year for the bargaining group; management rights provision that delineates rights of

management under the agreement; a seniority and layoff provision; a probationary provision

that specifies a one-year probationary period; a discipline and grievance procedure; hours of

work provision that allows for an alternate work schedule of forty hours a week; an overtime and

call back provision; leave provisions consisting of sick and disability leave, family medical, shared

leave, paid parental leave, bereavement, emergency and military leave; and vacation leave.

Members of the bargaining group will also be provided with thirteen (13) holidays.

Employees in the bargaining group will remain in the Northwest Firefighters Trust Medical Plan.

As part of this medical plan, the Fire Alarm Technicians will be eligible to participate in a Voluntary

Employee Benefit Association (VEBA) program that provides an annual Port contribution of

$2,000 for employee only and $4,000 for Employee and dependents.

Regarding pension, employees in the bargaining group will continue to be covered under the

Washington State Public Employment Retirement System (PERS). A Port contribution of $1.15

per hours worked will be provided only to the two Fire Alarm Technicians who were previously

in the Firefighter bargaining unit. This benefit will not be extended to any Fire Alarm Technician

hired after October 5, 2023.

The contract also provides for a Port contribution of one hundred dollars ($100) a month towards

the Washington State Council of Firefighters Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP) to

offset employee medical expenses after retirement.

Other additions to the agreement include a nine percent (9.0%) differential in recognition of

working day shift assignment and being on-call; longevity differential based upon years of service;

and an Education premium.

COMMISSION AGENDA– Action Item No. 8f Page 3 of 5

Meeting Date: March 26, 2024

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

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

March 26, 2024, through December 31, 2024.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Wages

Classification

Previous Rate

1/1/2023

Effective

3/26/24 Base

Monthly Rate

(5.4% COLA)

was applied

1/1/24

Fire Alarm

Technician

$10,834.60/month

$11,419.69/month

Effective January 1, 2024, employees were provided with an 5.4% cost of living increase based

on the Seattle/Tacoma/Bellevue CPI-U (All Urban Consumers) October 2022 to October 2023

Index in 2024.

Health and Welfare

Members of the bargaining group are currently enrolled in the Northwest Firefighters Trust

Medical Plan for medical and dental coverage.

Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP)

Members of the bargaining group will be provided with a Port contribution of one- hundred

dollars ($100) a month for their enrollment in the Washington State Council of Firefighters

Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP) to offset employee medical expenses at

retirement.

COMMISSION AGENDA– Action Item No. 8f Page 4 of 5

Meeting Date: March 26, 2024

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

Pension

Members of the bargaining group will continue coverage under the Washington State Public

Employment Retirement System (PERS). In addition, employees assigned to the bargaining group

prior to October 5, 2023, will be enrolled in the Firefighter retirement fund and receive a Port

contribution of $1.15 per hour work.

Other Additions include

• An Equal Employment Opportunity provision that complies with both state and federal

law and provides a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

• Union Leave provision of no more than sixteen (16) hours per year

• Management Rights provision

• Labor Management Committee/Safety

• Seniority Provision that provides for a one- year probationary period

• Layoff Provision

• Grievance Dispute resolution procedure

• Hours of Work and Overtime provision

• Light Duty provision

• Call Back provision

• Sick Leave and Disability Provision

• Family Medical Leave provision

• Vacation and Holiday provision

• Bereavement and Emergency Leave Provision

• Military Leave Provision

• Uniform and Protective Clothing provision

• Deferred Compensation Provision

• Strike and Lockout provision

• Drug testing procedure

Cost Impact $

Year 1

Pay

$205,559

Benefits

$ 85,605

Total New Money

Total Cumulative

Cost

$291,164

COMMISSION AGENDA– Action Item No. 8f Page 5 of 5

Meeting Date: March 26, 2024

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

The estimated total cumulative cost to the Port of Seattle for the duration of the contract is

$291,164.

ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST

1. Collective Bargaining Agreement

PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS

None

The 5.4% wage rate was applied on January 1, 2024, to the Fire Alarm Technicians as members of the Local 1257

Firefighters contract.

The COLA applied to the Firefighters agreement upon which the two Fire Alarm Technicians are currently

enrolled. For purposes of this agreement and the cost associated this agreement, the value of this COLA will be

prorated from March 26, 2024, through December 31, 2024.