Template revised September 22, 2016.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
8d
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
October 27, 2026
DATE: September 28, 2026
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Michael Miskell, Labor Relations Manager
Milton Ellis, Assistant Director of Labor Relations
SUBJECT: New collective bargaining agreement between the Port of Seattle and the
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 46 (IBEW Local 46),
representing EL01 Electricians (ELE)
Total Port Cost Increase for the Duration of the Agreement: $5,309,678
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to execute a new collective
bargaining agreement (CBA) between the Port of Seattle and the International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers Local 46, EL01 Electricians (ELE) assigned to the Port of Seattle Aviation
Maintenance, Marine Maintenance and Port Construction Services divisions, covering the period
from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2029.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Good faith bargaining between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 46
(IBEW Local 46) representing EL01 Electricians (ELE), and the Port of Seattle resulted in a fair
collective bargaining agreement consistent with the Port’s priorities.
There are currently seventy-eight (78) EL01 Electricians (ELE) at the Port of Seattle who perform
electrical maintenance work, as traditionally performed by Port maintenance electricians on Port
owned premises, including additions, alterations, repair and renovation as directed or assigned
to Port maintenance electricians by the Port. Aviation Maintenance electricians maintain the
airfield lighting system, power distribution system and facility lighting and power systems, HVAC,
passenger load bridges, STS. Marine Maintenance electricians maintain dock power equipment
and facility lighting and power systems, fire alarm systems, and HVAC on waterfront properties.
This agreement is for three years, covering the period from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2029.
The estimated total additional cost for wages and benefit increases is $5,309,678. The estimated
additional cost per year of the contract is: year one, $994,118; and year two, $1,759,983; and
year three $2,555,577.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8d Page 2 of 3
Meeting Date: October 27, 2026
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
Other changes include transitioning the probationary period to hours worked instead of a set six
(6) month period, clarifying language for probationary employee’s access to leave, updated the
compensation rate when management transitions employees to a new workweek schedule,
adding language clarifying the duration of appointment for temporary supervisors, removing the
requirement for employees to supply certain tools, updating the telematics language to remove
the reference to a Memorandum of Understanding, and updating the grievance timeline
language.
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 June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2029
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Wages
Classification
Current
Base Rate
Effective
6/1/26
Base Rate
Effective
6/1/27
Base Rate
6/1/28
Base Rate
EL01 Electrician
$72.46
$75.36
$78.37
Electrical
Supervisor
$79.71
$82.90
$86.21
General Electrical
Supervisor
$86.95
$90.43
$94.04
A four percent (4%) increase each year of the collective bargaining agreement.
Pension/Retirement
The current Port contribution to the Puget Sound Electrical Workers Pension Trust on behalf of
each employee is $10.16 for each hour compensated. This new agreement will increase the Port’s
contribution for each hour compensated to $10.27 in year 1 of the agreement, $10.39 in year 2
of the agreement, and $10.52 in year 3 of the agreement.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8d Page 3 of 3
Meeting Date: October 27, 2026
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
Port contribution to the National Electrical Benefit Fund remains at three percent (3%) of gross
monthly labor payroll.
Port contribution to the Puget Sound Electrical Workers Annuity/401K remains at four and one-
half percent (4.5%) of gross monthly labor payroll.
Healthcare
The current Port contribution to the Puget Sound Electrical Workers Healthcare Trust Fund for
each employee constitutes a lump sum amount of $1,400 per month. Port contribution to the
Fund will increase to $1,745 on June 1, 2026, $1,800 on June 1, 2027, and $1,850 on June 1, 2028.
Other Changes
• Transitioned the probationary period from a set six (6) months to one thousand and
forty (1040) working hours.
• Clarified when probationary employees have access to leave.
• Updated the compensation rate when management transitions employees to a new
workweek schedule
• Added language clarifying the duration of appointment for temporary supervisors.
• Removed the requirement for employees to supply certain tools.
• Updated the telematics language to remove the reference to a Memorandum of
Understanding.
• Updated grievance timeline language.
Cost Impact $
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Pay
$581,482
$1,184,969
$1,816,929
Benefits
$412,637
$575,014
$738,647
Total New Money
$994,118
$1,759,983
$2,555,577
Total Cumulative
Cost
$994,118
$2,754,102
$5,309,678
The estimated total cumulative cost to the Port of Seattle for the duration of the contract is
$5,309,678.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
1. Collective Bargaining Agreement
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
None