Template revised September 22, 2016.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
8d
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
July 14, 2026
DATE: June 4, 2026
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Milton Ellis, Assistant Director of Labor Relations
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: $181,223
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 in the Port of Seattle Police Department
covering the period from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.
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 nine (9) Police Specialists filled positions out of a total of eleven (11) budgeted
FTE positions, employed at the Port of Seattle who are assigned to the Port of Seattle Police
Department. The police specialists perform a variety of administrative support duties for the Port
Police department.
The agreement is for three years, covering the period from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.
The estimated total cumulative cost for wages and benefit increases is $181,223. The estimated
cumulative cost per year of the contract is: year one (2025-2026) $24,951, year two (2026-2027)
$85,750 and year 3 (2027-2028) $181,223.
The cost is based upon a four percent (4.0%) wage increase in year one of the agreement effective
July 1, 2025, a three percent (3.0%) wage increase in year two effective July 1, 2026, and a three
percent (3.0%) increase in year three effective July 1, 2027.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8d Page 2 of 4
Meeting Date: July 14, 2026
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
The cost also consists of an estimated eight percent (8%) increase in health insurance in year one
of the agreement and an estimated eight percent (8.0%) increase in health insurance in year two
and year three respectively of the agreement.
Other additions to the agreement consist of modifying the seniority provision to allow employees
to pursue other represented positions in the Port Police Department and return to the bargaining
unit if they were not successful in the position in which they transferred; update jury duty
provision to allow employees to keep any remuneration from the court; all cash out and lump
sum payments pension and benefits contributions shall be addressed in accordance with law;
delete the shift differential provision since all employes in the bargaining unit are assigned to day
shift assignments; incorporate reference to the Port payroll calendar which will be used as an
indicator of when an employee become eligible for health insurance; employee medical premium
share has increased from one hundred fifty dollars ($150) per month to one hundred sixty dollars
($160) per month effective in the third year agreement, on May 1, 2028.
Other additions to the contract include the addition of aunts and uncles to the immediate family
definition for purposes of bereavement leave; the Port’s compliance with RCW 42.56.250 (12)
when information contained in an employee’s personnel file is subject to public records request;
and an inclusion of a provision in the grievance procedure under the Arbitration section that
allows the parties to select an Arbitrator from an Agency other than the Federal Mediation
Conciliation Service (FMCS) by mutual agreement in those instances where FMCS is unresponsive
to an Arbitration 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 July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8d Page 3 of 4
Meeting Date: July 14, 2026
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Wages
Classification
Service Time
Current
Rate - A
Four Step
Annual
Salary
Progression
7/1/25
Base
Hourly
Rate
Effective
7/1/26
Base
Hourly Rate
(3.0%)
Effective
7/1/27
Base
Hourly
Rate
(3.0%)
Police Specialist
Entry
$35.63
$38.17
$39.32
12 Months
$37.41
$40.08
$41.28
24 Months
$39.28
$42.08
$43.34
36 Months
$41.25
$45.19
$47.52
48 Months
$43.31
$46.39
$47.78
Employees in the bargaining unit were provided with a four percent (4.0%) increase in wages
effective July 1, 2025, in the first year of the agreement. Employees were also provided with a
three percent (3.0%) increase effective the second year of the agreement, July 1, 2026, and a
three percent (3.0%) increase effective the third year of the agreement, July 1, 2027.
Health and Welfare
Members of the bargaining group are currently enrolled Teamsters Medical Plan A. Employees
are currently paying one hundred and fifty ($150) dollars per month for premium share. Effective
May 1, 2028, this premium share amount will increase by ten dollars ($10) for a total of one
hundred sixty dollars ($160) per month.
Other Changes/Additions include:
• Modifying the seniority provision to allow members of the bargaining group to pursue
other positions outside the bargaining unit
• Updating the Jury leave provision to reflect current practice
• The addition of aunts and uncles to the immediate family definition for purposes of
bereavement leave;
• Port compliance with RCW 42.56.250 (12) when information contained in an employee’s
personnel file is subject to public records request.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8d Page 4 of 4
Meeting Date: July 14, 2026
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
Cost Impact $
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Pay
$15,621
$32,526
$47,200
Benefits
$9,330
$28,273
$48,272
Total New Money
$24,951
$60,799
$95,473
Total Cumulative Cost
$24,951
$85,750
$181,223
The estimated total cumulative cost to the Port of Seattle for the duration of the contract is
$181,223.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
1. Collective Bargaining Agreement
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
None