Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION

AGENDA MEMORANDUM

Item No. 8d

ACTION ITEM Date of Meeting August 12, 2025

DATE: July 29, 2025

TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director

FROM: Spruce Metzger, Labor Relations Manager

Milton Ellis, Assistant Director of Labor Relations

SUBJECT: New Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the Port of Seattle and the

International Association of Firefighters, Local 1257, representing Firefighters,

Captains and Battalion Chiefs at the Port of Seattle

Total Port Cost Increase for the Duration of the Agreement: $5,677,850

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 Firefighters, Captains and Battalion Chiefs at the Fire

Department covering the period from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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

representing Firefighters, Captains and Battalion Chiefs and the Port of Seattle resulted in a fair

collective bargaining agreement consistent with the Port’s priorities.

There are currently seventy-three (73) Firefighters, one (1) Fire Marshall, seventeen (17) Captains

and seven (7) Battalion Chiefs, employed at the Port of Seattle who are assigned to the Port of

Seattle Fire Department. Members of the bargaining unit 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,

Construction Inspection and all other fire safety oversight for the Port of Seattle Properties on

and around SEA Airport

The agreement is for three years, covering the period from January 1, 2025, through

December 31, 2027. The estimated total cumulative cost for wages and benefit increases is

$5,677,850. The estimated cumulative cost per year of the contract is: year one (2025)

$,1,009,122; year two (2026) $2,863,601; and Year 3 (2027) $5,677,850.

COMMISSION AGENDA – Action No. 8d Page 2 of 4

Meeting Date: August 12, 2025

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

The cost is based upon a four and a half percent (4.5%) wage increase in year one of the

agreement; a cost-of-living increase of 100% of the August-to-August CPI-U for Seattle-Tacoma-

Bellevue plus 2% in year two of the agreement (no less than 2% and no greater than 4%); and a

cost-of-living increase of 100% of the August-to-August CPI-U for Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue plus

2% in year three of the agreement (no less than 2% and no greater than 4%).

The cost also consists of an increase of 3% to the Captain and Battalion Chief wage differentials

to the Firefighter ‘A’ rate in year 1 of the agreement; and an additional 1% increase to the Captain

and Battalion Chief wage differentials to the Firefighter ‘A’ rate in year 3 of the agreement.

The cost also includes a $50 per month increase to the Port’s monthly contribution to MERP for

each employee for a total of $150 per month effective the first year of the agreement. There is a

new provision allowing employees with at least 5 years of service who separate from the Port to

roll over up to 50% of unused sick leave into either a HRA/VEBA, MERP or 457(b) deferred comp

accounts. The bereavement leave provision was modified to allow the Fire Chief the discretion in

determining when the bereavement leave is taken.

Additional changes to the agreement provide that employees may be excused from the Physical

Fitness Program provision of the agreement at the discretion of the Battalion Chief. The number

of Captains assigned to EMT increased from 8 to 12 per month (3 per shift). A new provision was

established that provides a bank of union leave hours for union officers derived from an annual

deduction from bargaining unit member’s vacation accrual hours with a cap of 400 hours. The

Equal Opportunity Employment provision was modified to align with Port EEO values. Pronoun

changes were implemented across the CBA replacing “his/her” pronouns with “their”.

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, 2025, through December 31, 2027.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Wages

COMMISSION AGENDA – Action No. 8d Page 3 of 4

Meeting Date: August 12, 2025

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

Classification

Current Rate Effective

1/1/25

Base

Monthly Rate

(4.5%)

Effective 1/1/26

Base Monthly

Rate

(Est. 4.0%)

Effective 1/1/27

Base Monthly

Rate

(Est. 4.0%)

Firefighter A $10,477/Month $10,948/Month $11,386/Month $11,841/Month

Captain $12,363/Month $13,247/Month $13,777/Month $14,446/Month

Battalion Chief $14,458/Month $15,437/Month $16,054/Month $16,814/Month

Wage

Members of Local 1257 received a four and a half percent (4.5%) wage increase in the first year

of the agreement. In addition, members of the bargaining unit will also receive a cost-of-living

increase of 100% of the August-to-August CPI-U for Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue plus 2% in year two

of the agreement (no less than 2% and no greater than 4%); and a cost-of-living increase of 100%

of the August-to-August CPI-U for Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue plus 2% in year three of the

agreement (no less than 2% and no greater than 4%).

Captain and Battalion Chief Differentials

Captains and Battalion Chiefs will receive an increase of 3% wage differential to the Firefighter

‘A’ rate in the first year of the agreement; and an additional 1% increase to the Captain and

Battalion Chief wage differential to the Firefighter ‘A’ rate in the third year of the agreement.

Other Changes

 Effective the first year of the agreement, the Port will increase the contribution to MERP

for members by $50 per month for a total of $150 per month.

 Employees with at least 5 years of service can rollover up to 50% of unused sick leave into

either a HRA/VEBA, MERP or 457(b) Deferred Compensation account upon separation.

 The EEO provision was modified to align with the Port’s EEO Values.

 A new provision was established that provides a bank of union leave hours for union

officers derived from an annual deduction from bargaining unit member’s vacation

accrual hours with a cap of 400 hours.

This value is based on an estimated wage increase of 4% because the value of the year 2 CPI is unknown at the time

of submission.

This value is based on an estimated wage increase of 4% because the value of the year 3 CPI is unknown at the

time of submission.

COMMISSION AGENDA – Action No. 8d Page 4 of 4

Meeting Date: August 12, 2025

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

Cost Impact $ Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Pay

$811,299

$1,465,674

$2,250,686

Benefits

$197,824

$388,805

$563,563

Total New Money

$1,009,122

$1,854,479

$2,814,249

Total Cumulative

Cost

$1,009,122

$2,863,601

$5,677,850

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

$5,677,850.

ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST

1. Collective Bargaining Agreement

PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS

None