For Washington State Department of Transportation Engineering Members

The Department of Personnel adopted the 2008 Total Compensation Survey on April 10. Local 17 has been fighting the findings since its preliminary release on March 13.

The survey purports to peg salaries for state transportation engineers and technicians at 17.5 percent behind those in similar positions in public and private industries throughout the state. These salaries have historically tracked at about 25 to 30 percent behind.

The core issue, uncovered by Local 17, found that private sector participation in the survey was nearly non-existent!

Local 17 staff argued directly with the state Department of Personnel (DOP) staff since uncovering the facts and also formally protested to the DOP Director. The DOP responded that, though it agrees that private sector participation was lacking, it cannot force companies to participate in the survey and that the survey will stand as it is.

Local 17 continues to argue that the state and labor unions depend on an accurate and complete survey while discussing salaries at the negotiation table and that the use of an incomplete survey will hinder those negotiations. The State has not been moved to correct the issue even when offered additional data by Local 17.Local 17 will continueto carry our argument forward with the governor and at the negotiating table.