Arbitration for Deputies Labor Contract Delayed

News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: (360)427-9670 Ext 313 or (360)275-4467 Ext 313
Authority:  Chief Deputy B.Dean Byrd

Shelton, WA - Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Mason County Sheriff’s Deputies will have to wait even longer for a new labor contract.  The September 21, arbitration between Mason County and the Mason County Sheriff’s Office Employees Guild has been delayed pending a decision on an unfair labor practice complaint filed by Mason County on Wednesday, September 16 two days prior to the scheduled arbitration date.

In that complaint, Mason County alleges that the Guild “has continued its proposal for retroactive wages and economic benefits during negotiations and its proposal to the interest arbitration panel in an illegal subject of bargaining.”  Further, the County alleges “By continuing to propose an illegal subject of bargaining throughout the course of its negotiations and submitting the issue to the interest arbitration panel, Mason County Sheriff’s Office Employees Guild has committed an unfair labor practice.

In December, 2006, the Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) certified the Mason County Sheriff’s Office Employees Guild as the new union representing the Sheriff’s Deputies.  Since that time, the Sheriff’s Deputies have been working without raises, changes in benefits, or a labor contract with Mason County.  Since January, 2007, negotiations between the Guild and Mason County continued into 2008, and then proceeded to mediation.  Throughout the negotiations the Guild continued to bargain for retroactive wages and benefits from January 1, 2007.  The process then proceeded to interest arbitration set for September 21, 2009.  That process is now delayed pending the outcome of the unfair labor practice allegation. 

At issue is the Guild’s bargaining for retroactive wages and benefits.  The county contends bargaining for retroactive wages and benefits is Illegal without a “Christie Agreement” and is asking PERC to order the removal of all guild proposals relating to retroactive wages and benefits. Wages and benefits are negotiated between the unions and the County Commission.  The elected officials and their administrative staff do not participate in that process.

According to Sheriff Casey Salisbury, Mason County Deputies work under some of the most challenging conditions in the State of Washington.  Mason County is a class three county but has the call load of a class two county.  We are a rural county providing a rural level of service, yet the demands placed on our deputies rival that of a more heavily populated county.  Our rate of violent crime is among the highest for similar sized counties in the state.  The Mason County Sheriff’s Office has recently taken over traffic enforcement duties on county roads, a job that has traditionally been accomplished by the Washington State Patrol.  Recent budget challenges have resulted in the loss of nine staff positions, creating an even heavier work load on deputies.  This problem is compounded by the lack of other law enforcement agencies in the county that could provide backup for deputies.  This is a fairly unique problem brought about by the fact we have only one incorporated city in Mason County.

Sheriff Salisbury went on to say “It is my sincere hope that this matter is resolved fairly, equitably, and quickly so our deputies can remain focused on the safety and security of our citizens.  It is imperative that the fine men and women who protect our citizens and their property from the criminal element be properly compensated for the courageous work they do.”