Submitted by the Guild of the Pacific Northwest Local 1909

Guild of the Pacific Northwest Local 1909 workers this week filed to move bargaining with the Town into mediation. Local 1909 also filed (2) separate unfair labor practice charges against the Town and Town Administrator.

Two years ago, Local 1909 members also engaged in mediation to move bargaining forward. Chuck Berry, President of Local 1909, who was at the bargaining table during the last negotiations said, “Our current bargaining experience is eerily similar to the last time – the Town Administrator comes in talking about mutual cooperation so we get to a quick agreement and proceeds to put up roadblocks to compromise all along the way”.

Consequently, Local 1909 has filed an unfair practice charge alleging the Town and Town Administrator have violated applicable sections of Washington State labor law by engaging in bad faith bargaining. More specifically, Local 1909 alleges that the Tow Administrator has employed a strategy to intentionally frustrate and delay bargaining. The Guild has also alleged that the Town Administrator has interfered with workers’ rights to engage in protected activities.

Local 1909 Staff Representative Steve Fraga said, “The history is damning – we’r seeing the same Town conduct that occurred last time with a different union negotiator I have represented both labor and management in bargaining for decades. It’s rare to run into a bargainer on the other side so intransigent and hostile to workers.”

Local 1909 has filed a separate unfair practice charge related to a routine contract dispute, which the union sought to move to arbitration. The Town Administrator refused to move the case to arbitration. Fraga said, “Despite the Town Administrator’s recalcitrance, issues of procedural and substantive arbitrability should be decided by an arbitrator consistent with the contract and the law.”

Both mediation and the unfair labor practice charges will move forward under the auspices of the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC). This Washington State agency has jurisdiction over public sector labor relations and collective bargaining. PERC provides all of its services at no cost.

Local 1909 members live on the island, support the local economy, and serve the community, ensuring roads are safe, water and sewer systems are functioning well, refuse is well-managed, and a myriad of tax-paying patron needs are addressed professionally. President Berry said, “My colleagues and I appreciate serving everyone in our community. We’re simply seeking fair treatment and a fair contract.”