In a meeting on Mon., Nov. 9, with Labor representatives, Executive Kurt Triplett informed us that he would not declare a financial emergency for 2010, thereby preserving the Furlough Replacement Time that was negotiated in good faith last year.
Triplett's decision not to declare a financial emergency was based in part upon a desire to recognize the support that Union represented employees gave last year during a time of severe economic crisis for the County, and to honor the long standing relationship between King County and its Labor partners. Additionally, Triplett agreed with Labor's position that denying Furlough Replacement Time in 2010 was not necessary to alleviate a projected shortfall for next year.
IFPTE Local 17, along with our Labor partners, applaud Executive Triplett's decision and his integrity.
Whether Executive-elect Dow Constantine will choose to revisit this decision is not known at this time. We trust, though, that Executive-elect Constantine values King County's labor relations and will choose to affirm Triplett's decision. Should Executive-elect Constantine attempt to reverse Triplett’s decision and renege on Furlough Replacement Time, Labor will follow through on its pledge to file the appropriate legal challenge.
The County has provided 2 documents (to be read as one) in partial response to a Coalition information request. As described by Kathi Ogelsby, Labor Liaison for the Executive, “This document was prepared to show where the additional $8 million cuts will come if we do not have furloughs for 2010.”While the information seems alarming, it's also the County’s opportunity to seize upon your emotions and show how drastic the situation can be if every person in the County does not furlough.
Labor is keeping a clear head and approaching this from a logical, fact-based perspective. Once we have accurate budget numbers and know exactly where cost saving measures will occur, then Labor will assess that information and proceed with bargaining.
The Coalition awaits further responses and budget information before proceeding with negotiations. Once additional information is provided, we will share it with you here.
Click below to see the documents:
$4 Million Across Criminal Justice Separately ElectedsBalancing Highlights
2010 Executive Proposed
General Fund Budget
More than 100 Union Stewards from across King County, including close to 20 rank-and–file leaders from IFPTE Local 17, received dire news about the state of the County’s budget but no working proposal from County officials in a meeting held on Tuesday morning, July 28, at the King County Labor Temple in downtown Seattle.
Interim King County Executive Kurt Triplett kicked off the meeting by presenting the Coalition of Unions with an overview of the magnitude of the budget crisis and the County’s planned response. County budget officer, Beth Goldberg, followed the Executive with a more detailed financial update that outlined the scope and causes of the crisis and how individual County funds have been impacted.
Triplett reported that, after managing a $93 million shortfall in 2009, the County is now faced with a $56.4 million deficit in 2010 and a projected $60 million shortfall in 2011. According to Triplett, all County funds, including the general fund, transit, wastewater, etc. are distressed and the County is poised for significant cuts in services, including the elimination of some programs to confront the crisis.
Specifically, the Executive said that the County plans to implement a number of cost-saving measures, including the closure of 39 non-levy-funded County parks, the closure of between 2 to 5 health clinics, extensive cuts in Animal Control and the Department of Licensing, a 10% cut to the County Budget Office and $10 million in cuts to management salaries and benefits. In all, Triplett outlined a projected $30 million in savings from the proposed cuts, but was unclear about how to address the remaining $20 million needed to balance the budget in 2010.
The Executive did say, however, that without significant concessions from organized labor, the County would be forced to implement a large number of layoffs and to declare a fiscal emergency, which would allow the County unilaterally implement a furlough and rescind the furlough replacement time that was part of last year’s furlough agreement negotiated by the County and the Coalition.
Although County representatives discussed a number of possible concessions, including cuts in premium pay, COLA reduction, furlough, unpaid holidays for furlough-exempt job classifications, and health care premium share, County officials presented no concrete proposal for cutting the requested $14 million in salaries and benefits of employees.
Some Local 17 Stewards expressed frustration at the County’s failure to provide the Coalition with all of the information with respect to the budget in a timely manner and for not coming to the meeting prepared with a working proposal so that the individual bargaining units can get the bargaining process moving forward.
“I understood our invitation to the meeting to include a specific promise that specific proposals would be put on the table for the Unions to consider as the County asks us to "partner" with them to save money. Labor Relations declared the meeting was not the right place to present their proposals, leaving me to believe that the only ones they had to offer were the "conceptual ones" that they enumerated (furloughs, layoffs, unpaid holidays). The time is now for them to show their cards. We can't work effectively with someone who is not honest and open with us. “ Lois Watt, Local 17 VP and Transit Steward.
Peg Taglianetti, Local 17 IT Steward in OIRM also noted that, “It's important to see that the members are participating actively in this process. The bargaining process is collaborative and transparent. County management will take employees' views seriously into consideration for any consequential responses to the budget issues we face. The outcomes will surely involve some sacrifices on everybody's part. But we will get the best possible chance to have our interests and concerns known.”
After the meeting, the Coalition of Unions, led by co-chairs Behnaz Nelson of IFPTE Local 17 and Dustin Frederick of Public Safety Employees (PSE) Local 519, caucused to discuss an action plan for moving forward. Most of the caucus discussion revolved around the urgent need for individual bargaining units to meet to formulate a strategy based on the Coalition principles and to submit their input the their Union Representatives to share with the Coalition.
Because Local 17 represents a variety of bargaining units with varying funds and and budgets and are at varying stages in their contract cycles, the impact of the County’s statement on bargaining units also varies.
Bargaining units will need to meet and discuss bargaining options with the respective union representatives. Each contract currently has layoff language that outlines a process to be used in times of budgetary woe. Whether each bargaining unit wants to endure (and to what degree) layoffs is a subject for greater, more in-depth discussion.
Local 17 is considering individual bargaining needs in determining the appropriate response and procedural route to take with the County. Some things that are being considered is a “bargaining by department or fund,” as we have found that there is not a “one size fits all” approach to addressing the magnitude of this budget deficit.
The Coalition has submitted numerous information requests to the County for which we are still awaiting responses. Additionally, the Coalition has informed the County that before any negotiations can proceed we need both the information requested and formal proposals from the County.
In the coming weeks, Local 17 Union Representatives will be organizing meetings of individual bargaining unit members and stewards to prioritize and strategize for bargaining. Your participation in those meetings is critical. Stay tuned to your Local Union’s website at for information about the time and location of those meetings.
Yesterday, King County Executive Kurt Triplett presented the Coalition of Unions with grim news regarding the County budget. After last year's $93 million shortfall which led to slashing $46 million from the budget and exhausting the County's reserves, the County is now faced with a $50 million deficit in 2010 and a projected $60 million shortfall in 2011. According to Triplett, all County revenue streams are in jeopardy, including the general fund, transit, wastewater, etc. For an overview from the County on the impact of the budget crisis on individual funds.
In confronting the crisis, the County Executive reported that he is considering significant cuts to County services including the elimination of some County programs. He has also requested that labor help identify ways to cut an additional $10 million from the 2010 budget. Leaders of the Coalition responded by stating there should be no further discussions without rank-and-file involvement in the bargaining process. The Coalition has also established a set of principles to guide its involvement in the budget discussions.
True to its first principle, which emphasizes the need for member participation in the process, on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 9 am (location downtown but specifics undetermined) the Coalition of Unions - representatives along with a team of Union Stewards - will meet with County officials from the Executive's office and Labor Relations. The County will restate their budget issues and will present Labor with proposals on how to balance the 2010 budget. Yesterday the Coalition put in a number of information requests for specific budget numbers separated by fund, the costing out of each proposal, as well as other items. We will request additional information as necessary.
The upcoming meeting is information-sharing by the County and once that is complete, Labor will caucus to determine how best to proceed with bargaining. Discussions will center on whether to pursue Coalition-based bargaining versus individual bargaining unit bargaining. Local 17 is taking the position that, for as long as possible, it is in our best interest to bargain as a Coalition. When interests diverge or vary depending on bargaining unit needs, then we will assess the possibility of breaking off into a smaller coalition or bargain individually, if necessary.
Over the next few days, your Union Representative will be assembling volunteers from from every bargaining unit at King County to participate in the July 28 meeting and in the ongoing 2010-2011 budget discussions. Please stay tuned to the Local 17 website at www.ifpte17.org for an update after next weeks meeting and for ongoing reports on how the budget challenges facing King County may impact members of IFPTE Local 17.
King County Executive Kurt Triplett and King County Labor Relations have called a meeting with Union Representatives for Tuesday, July 21 to discuss the challenges facing the County in the 2010 budget cycle. Local 17 is participating in this meeting to make sure that your rights are protected.
This meeting is information sharing only; when bargaining commences Local 17 is committed to having members at the table. At this time, we do not have any further details about any proposals. Further information will be provided after Tuesday’s meeting.