Spokane workers win big increases

A SUCCESSFUL contract, with significant annual pay increases, has been negotiated between 1,100 employees, represented by Council 2, and the City of Spokane.

Negotiations on the contract, which covers 2004 through 2006, began in September 2003 and were recently completed.

“The negotiations were amicable,” says Mike Smith, Council 2 Staff Representative in Spokane, who handled the talks for the union.

“Their success was largely due to the president of Local 270, Joe Cavanaugh, and the Spokane Mayor, Jim West, who was elected in 2004 during the negotiations.

“The negotiating committee also did an outstanding job.”

The contract calls for additional cost sharing on the medical benefits program, but includes an increase of 5 percent, paid in October 2004 as well as 5-percent increases in the next two years, paid as 2 percent in April 2005, 3 percent in October 2005, 3 percent in April 2006 and 2 percent in October 2006.

The contract covers prosecuting attorneys, street, sewer and garbage disposal workers, and secretaries.

As a result of budget restraints, some 120 to 140 positions will be lost in the city, Smith adds. “Almost half of those will be police and fire workers. Some are positions that are not filled now. Only 25 to 30 workers represented by Council 2 will be affected.”