Labor Troubles Looming in Fire District 1

March 9, 2016

Everett, Everett Fire

Fire District 1 serves people living in unincorporated Snohomish County south of the Everett City Limits. You’ll often see their rigs in Everett providing mutual aid. There are also many areas in south Everett that are served by both FD1 and the Everett Fire Department depending on which side of the road you are on. While this does not directly affect the Everett Fire Department due to the substantial area of what would be considered south Everett covered by District 1 we’re passing this along.

Fire District 1 Fire District 1 Today Fire District 1 issued the following press release regarding labor issues between the district and members of IAFF 1828 which is the union representing District 1 firefighters.

Snohomish County Fire District 1 has filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the state Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) against International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1828, the union representing the district’s firefighters.

Fire District 1 alleges that the union has violated its statutory bargaining obligations.  The unlawful conduct consists of the union’s refusal to execute the written agreement developed by the chief negotiators of the union and the fire district and approved by the Fire Commissioners, according to the complaint.  That agreement would yield a new labor contract for 2015-17.

The complaint asks PERC for a two-part remedy.  First, the union would be ordered to cease violating its bargaining obligations.  Second, the union would be ordered to execute the agreement reached by the chief negotiators.

Bargaining for a new contract has a long history, starting in May 2014 and continuing for 19 months.  There were 23 bargaining sessions, including 18 mediations sessions under the auspices of PERC.  In January 2016, the union membership voted down a total contract settlement.  After that, representatives of the two sides in early February created the agreement that is the subject of the complaint.

Fire District 1 Commissioners are disappointed and believe that the public interest is best served by pursuing the complaint.  At the core of the dispute is the availability and quality of emergency services to our community in the form of extra coverage during times of higher emergency calls.

Editor’s Note: MyEverettNews.com has reached out via email to get comment from Local 1828. We’ll update this story with that information when it is received.




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