On Friday, our Union's legal team wrapped up our interest arbitration hearing with the State over the 2025-2027 DOC collective bargaining agreement.

The hearing consisted of seven days of testimony before the arbitrator. Over the next few weeks, the arbitrator will consider arguments on both sides before issuing an award by September 26 so it can be included in the Governor's budget.

Whatever the arbitrator decides, his award must be funded by the legislature in the 2025 legislative session in Olympia for the compensation elements of the award to take effect.

GENERAL WAGE INCREASES

At the hearing, our legal team, which included financial experts retained by the Union, made the case for a general wage increase for all members of the DOC bargaining unit. We are calling for a 6% increase in the first year of the biennium and 6% in year two.

The State defended its Last, Best, and Final offer, which was resoundingly rejected by the membership. The State's proposal is a general wage increase of 2% in the first year of the contract and 0% in the second year. We argued that a 2% increase does not come close to keeping up with the cost of living and is woefully inadequate in recognizing the service you provide our communities. 

Our proposal also calls for several range adjustments to address recruitment and retention issues as well as range increases to classifications that are behind their comparables.

COMPENSATORY TIME

As you may recall, in negotiations, the State argued for a reduction of our members' comp time accruals to 80 hours. Our bargaining committee rejected that proposal. 

We have great news to report on this issue. With the help of the arbitrator, we achieved a favorable outcome at the hearing, which allows us to maintain all of our comp time hours. The only change is that, with the new contract, members will now cash out their hours annually rather than at the end of the biennium.

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION

With the help of the arbitrator, we were also able to achieve coverage of the cost of CDL renewals by the State for those positions requiring CDL certification. Additionally, we achieved new language in our contract that requires the employer to reimburse the licensure renewal costs for the following positions:

• Plumber/pipefitter/steamfitter supervisors
• Plumber/pipefitter/steamfitter
• Wastewater treatment plant operators
• Electrician Supervisors
• Electrician
• Maintenance Mechanic 4’s where an electrical license is required

UNION COMMITTEE & MEMBER TESTIMONY

Please be sure to thank the members on your Union Negotiations Committee. This group, consisting of 22 rank-and-file members, did an incredible job over many long hours representing you at the bargaining table.

Much gratitude also goes out to Senior Staff Attorney Eamon McCleery for his excellent legal work as well as the following members who provided powerful testimony during the hearing:

• Eric Askren, Religious Coordinator, CRCC
• Brandi Blair, Roster Manager, MCC
• Brandon Duncan, Corrections Specialist 2, AHCC
• Ildiko Danko, RN2, MCC
• Julie Gurr, Imaging Technologist, CRCC
• Stacey Halvarson, Records Technician, OCC
• Chris Lukens, CO2, OCC
• Donna Lytle, Medical Assistant, MCC
• Alyson Ryan, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, MCC
• Eric Villaro, Electronic Technician 4, WSP
• Rebekah Whitney, Psychiatric Social Worker 3, MCC

Finally, thanks to all of you for your patience and participation during this process. One of the things that impressed the arbitrator was the high member turnout in voting to reject the State's proposal.

It will be equally important for us to have a massive turnout at our 2025 DOC Lobby Day to ensure funding the arbitrator's award. As soon as we have more information about that event we will let you know. 

You can view a short video from me on the hearing by clicking the link below: