FOR A FEW years, commissioners elected to the Northshore Utility District had contracted with one of their fellow commissioners on a paid basis to represent them in legal issues.
Members of Local 1024, who work for the utility, believed the practice was wrong.
Surely, they said, the situation created a conflict of interest. Hiring someone to provide the board with advice and to represent them was acceptable, but employing one of their own members to do so failed to provide the unbiased outside perspective that was needed.
Working with Council 2, Local members approached the commission, politely suggesting that the situation be re-examined. The board rejected the suggestion.
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They put together a bill to make the practice illegal. The measure was passed with bipartisan sponsorship during the last legislative session. It did not even have one opposing vote. Gov. Christine Gregoire signed the measure in mid-May.
“The Local officers really stepped up to the plate,” says Council 2 Deputy Director Pat Thompson. “They had seen something that was not right and they fixed it.” He also paid tribute to State Auditor Brian Sonntag for his advice and assistance with the measure.
The union continues in negotiations with the commission and has filed an unfair labor practice against the district, alleging bad-faith bargaining practices.
The president of Local 1024 is Richard Karschney; the vice president is Michael D. Holte and the secretary-treasurer is Cherie D. Lheureux.
