August 17, 2020 by

CPI Drops, but Seattle Still Surpasses the All-Cities Index

By: Jim Cline and Kate Kremer

Pushed down by the COVID Recession, the important June to June CPI number showed a dramatic, though expected, drop.  We say “important” because many Washington public safety labor contracts are tied, directly or indirectly, to the June CPI numbers. As indicated in the recently released Guidebook on “Negotiation in Turbulent Times”, regardless of the CPI, we anticipate challenging bargaining in 2020 and into 2021. We are expecting most employers will at least start with 0% as their base wage proposal, and we’ve already seen one proposal for a -3%. [Read more…]

Filed Under: CPI, Economics
February 1, 2019 by

New Year Brings New Paid Family and Medical Leave Law

New Year Brings New Paid Family and Medical Leave Law

By:  Jim Cline and Eamon McCleery

The start of the new year also marks the partial implementation of Washington’s New Paid Family and Medical Leave program. Think of that program as a mandatory long-term leave insurance program adopted by the Washington State Legislature for most employers, public and private. Throughout 2019, the fund for the program will be built up with employer and employee payroll contributions. Starting in 2020, the program will use those accumulated funds to pay employees a portion of their wages while they are away on a qualifying long-term leave. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Uncategorized
February 1, 2019 by

PERC concludes Snohomish County “gotcha” discipline against Guild President was unlawful retaliation

PERC concludes Snohomish County “gotcha” discipline against Guild President was unlawful retaliation

By: Jim Cline and Eamon McCleery

In Snohomish County, Decision 12723-B (PECB, 2018), PERC overturned the five-day suspension of the Guild’s President for allegedly violating a County policy against having personal cell phones in the secure portions of the County Jail. PERC found that the County’s actions helped create a situation in which it could impose discipline. Therefore, it concluded that the real reason for the discipline was retaliation for the President’s Guild activities.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Uncategorized