UPDATED: King County Councilmember Jane Hague describes Labor Policy success story to Redmond officials

King County Councilmember Jane Hague

REPUBLISHED:  In a March, 2011 Business Meeting, Redmond City Council heard a startling report from Jane Hague forecasting large bus service reductions in King County Metro for 2012 - 2015. 

Why?  Sixty-two percent of Metro's budget is funded by sales tax revenue and revenues are significantly down in this economy.  Hague, one of two King County Councilmembers representing Redmond citizens gave the city council reassurances.   

The good news?   Read More >>
Rep. Hague reported $23.5 million savings from labor contract negotiations allowing Metro to add 33 new transit trips on SR 520.  In addition, a new $1.5 million reserve is set aside for public services and the Rapid Ride program moves forward.

Hague attributed their success to revamping County labor policies "that hadn't been looked at in 20 years."  On a 9-0 vote, King County Council changed policy on how the Council Executive (Dow Constantine) enters collective bargaining discussions.  As a result, 90% of  the unions up for negotiations agreed voluntarily to:  1) no COLA increases, 2) minimum pay increases, 3)  greater willingness to look at health benefit and automatic pay increases.  "Some jobs were lost, but many saved", said Hague.  The $60 million budget shortfall last year was reduced to $20 million in 2011.  The total budget is $5.2 billion.

The good news continues.  County Council voted 9-0 to write a strategic plan to make the county "financially sustainable" within the next four years.   The plan works mostly by reorganizing each department, increasing service efficiencies at least 3%  (not cuts), and establishing new, creative ways of doing business.

Rep. Hague thanked the Redmond City Council and Mayor for their work and cooperation to eliminate the need for a new Eastside jail and improve water supply.  City Council Pres.Richard Cole commented about increased county-driven safety costs.  Council and Mayor thanked Jane for her visit.   Kathy Lambert is the other King Council Concilmember representing the Greater Redmond area.

Reported by Bob Yoder
Photo from Jane Hague's website

UPDATED COMMENT (11/2):  Could City of Redmond officials learn from King County's labor policy success story?   Redmond Public Safety Workers (FIRE AND POLICE unions) are compensated though union contracts negotiated under the direction of the Mayor.  In 2010, the average compensation  (including benefits) for Redmond's  non-public safety workers was $95,474.  The average compensation (including benefits) for Redmond's union-contracted public safety employees (Fire & Police) was $122,395.  That's a 22% differential.  Benefits amount to 30% of compensation and increased 11% last year.  B.Y.  Source:  Redmond Human Resources Department.

Republished from April, 2011