Oct. 2010 - King County Members Ratify COLA TA

By a margin of 88 percent, the Local 17 members in King County voted in favor of ratifying the tentative agreement on COLA.   

After extensive negotiations throughout the course of one week, the King County Coalition of Unions reached a tentative agreement on COLA for 2011 through 2014. Recognizing the current economic reality while protecting the interests of our members long term, close to 50 member leaders and union representatives present in negotiations unanimously approved the Tentative Agreement that was put forth with a recommendation and ratified.  The County only wanted a 1 year deal with 0 COLA in 2011 and the Coalition recognized that the only way to accept 0 COLA was to secure a formula for subsequent years.  We were successful in moving the County off their original position and reaching an agreement which provides financial security for our members.

The Agreement provides the following:
2011:                0%
2012:                90% CPI-W Seattle Tacoma Bremerton Index
2013:                95% CPI-W Seattle Tacoma Bremerton Index
2014:                95% CPI-W Seattle Tacoma Bremerton Index

Savings generated in 2011 shall be applied by the County in such a way to reduce the loss of jobs held by bargaining unit members covered by this agreement.  There will be a zero floor and unlimited ceiling providing a true cost of living measurement in future years in times of high inflation.  In addition, the future calculations will be based on the Seattle Tacoma Bremerton CPI - an index more reflective of local economic conditions.  In the years 2013 and 2014 the COLA formula will be increased to 95% from the historical 90%.  The agreement allows for a COLA reopener in the event certain dire economic triggers occur in a specific year; however in close to 20 years past, the triggers were only set off one time.   This agreement secures a COLA formula through 2014 and remains separate from our health care negotiations agreement which is locked in through 2012.

All in all, the Coalition succeeded in achieving a multiyear deal which provides a more relevant index, an unlimited ceiling and at a higher percentage than in the past.  Local 17 showed great leadership at the table and that was in large part due to the member leaders present and the response and active communication by the King County members as a whole.