COUNCIL 2 HAS helped negotiate a first-time contract for the 25-strong Skagit County Prosecutor’s legal support staff. The contract, covering 2004 to 2006, was signed Aug. 1.

The contract is the first for Local 176-PS since it was organized a couple of years ago. The major issue in the negotiations — arbitration of just cause termination — took about three months’ mediation to settle.

Local members Gale Torres, president, and Amy Elliot served on the negotiating committee.