For three years, members of Local 1553, Spokane County Courthouse employees, and Council 2 sat down twice a month with representatives of the Spokane County District Court to bargain a new contract.

The contract governed working conditions for the 40 members of the court staff who are members of Local 1553. Benefits and wages were not an issue as those were covered by a master contract.

What they were talking about were topics such as union security, recognition and grievance procedures as well as day-to-day work issues, including hours of work and departmental policies and procedures.

In meeting after meeting, both sides bargained. They insisted. They cajoled. Where necessary, they conceded points.

But each time they advanced a little closer to an agreement.

Then, finally, the two-year contract was signed October 31, 2002.

One by-product of the meetings was that the Council 2 representatives developed good working relations with the judges who represented the District Court, says Gordon Smith, Staff Representative for Council 2 in Spokane.

Smith, Amie Swenson, President of Local 1553, and Lanaya Hazeltine, Shop Steward of Local 1553, represented Council 2. Former Judge Daniel Maggs, Judge Christine Cary and Municipal Clerk of Court, Court Administrator Ron Miles represented the employer, Spokane County District Court.