T E A

T i m e s

February 14, 2001

Summary of Recent Events

Two recent mediation sessions have resulted in a four-party agreement to recognize TEA.

Attorneys for TEA and IFPTE 17 are developing a legal agreement that will be signed this month by the County, TEA, IFPTE 17, and Teamsters 117. The mediator will then review and verify TEA's signature cards. Bargaining for the first TEA contract will follow.

The Details

The December 6, 2000 edition of TEA Times reported that King County and TEA had reached an agreement on voluntary recognition. Following that report, IFPTE 17 and Teamsters 117 raised sufficient concerns to halt the County's progress.

Two other events conspired to delay the process -- the holidays, and Sam Pailca's resignation. (Ms. Pailca, who had been so helpful at resolving TEA's recognition request, had been selected by Mayor Schell to manage the City's Police Oversight Committee. The County has lost another great employee, this time to the City of Seattle.)

Before she left King County, Ms. Pailca put into motion a mediation process using the County's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program. Mike Walsh, the County's lead mediator, facilitated two sessions on 2/2 and 2/7.

The following individuals participated in these sessions:

Mike Walsh, KC ADR Program Manager
Kathi Oglesby, Labor Liason for Executive Ron Sims
Bob Railton, Labor Negotiator, OHRM
Beth Dolliver, Transit Human Resources
Judy Riley, Transit Design and Construction Manager
Maureen Welch, Assistant Manager of Wastewater Treatment Division
Joe McGee, Executive Director, IFPTE Local 17
Martin Garfinkle, Attorney for IFPTE Local 17
Ray Goforth, Labor Rep., IFPTE Local 17
Whitney Hupf, Labor Rep., IFPTE Local 17
Spencer Thal, Attorney for Teamsters 117
Wyatt Wood, President, Technical Employees Association
David Crippen, Supervisor, Transit Design & Construction
Roger Scrafford, Second Vice President, Technical Employees Association
Severne Johnson, Secretary, Technical Employees Association
Ken Madden, Treasurer, Technical Employees Association
James Cline, Attorney for Technical Employees Association

On February 7th, all parties agreed to recognize TEA. The attorneys for TEA and IFPTE 17 are preparing a legal document that will be signed by TEA, 17, 117 and the County on either Friday, 2/16 or on Monday 2/26.

Mext Steps

Activate the Representative Council and the two Bargaining Committees.

Representative Council

The TEA Bylaws allow each "work group" to select a representative to attend monthly meetings and be responsible for bringing employee issues to the Board and Bargaining Committee. Each work group can decide how to select their own representative. Key bargaining issues will be identified by the Representative Council and presented to the Board and Bargaining Committee.

Contract Bargaining Committees

There will be two Bargaining Committees, one for supervisors and one for staff. In accordance with the TEA Bylaws, each Bargaining Committee shall have 5 members, 2 board members and 3 members at large.

If you are interested in participating on the first TEA bargaining committees, please contact Roger Scrafford, Second Vice President, Chair of the Bargaining Committee.

COLA Update

On January 29, 2001, the King County Council approved Ordinance 2001-0029, authorizing a 3.11 percent Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for non-represented employees. This COLA is retroactive to January 1, 2001.

Payroll has outlined the following implementation schedule:

Bi-Weekly Payroll (PeopleSoft):
New Rates Implemented: 02/17/01
First Pay Check with New Rates: 03/15/01
Retro Paid: 3/15/01 (for period 01/01/01 thru 02/16/01)