PUD, union OK contract
Wednesday, March 19, 2003 8:25 AM PST
By M.L. Madison
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E-mail this articleCowlitz PUD management and union members have agreed upon a new three-year contract that includes 3 percent raises each year, union and utility officials said Tuesday.
Negotiators from both sides said the contract talks went quickly and smoothly. In contrast, the last three-year contract was settled after 14 months of negotiations, mediation with the state and a year without a labor agreement.
"It was somewhat of a pleasant experience, based on our previous negotiations," said Don Guillot, business representative for the Seattle-based International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 77, which represents the union employees. Guillot and PUD manager Denny Robinson said the contract was almost the same as the previous agreement, which expires March 31.
The new agreement takes effect April 1.
Utility commissioners on Tuesday also approved a 3 percent increase for administrative and other non-union employees, which will go into effect March 24.
PUD commissioner Ned Piper said the board was "really pleased" with the new union contract.
"For whatever reason, we used to be one of the last (utilities) in the state to settle, and now we're one of the first."
Local 77 represents 81 employees, including office staff, customer service representatives, meter readers, and line workers, according to the PUD's human resources manager, Steve Lafady. Including the increase, employees earn between $11.84 per hour for entry-level clerical positions and $32 an hour for a relay department foreman, he said.
Guillot credited Lafady and the PUD's operations director, Dave Quinn, with helping the negotiations go smoothly.
Robinson said a weak economy also encouraged both sides to negotiate.
"We all realize things are tough out there," he said. "It wasn't the time for us to be looking for concessions. And they know it's not the time to be asking for enhancements."
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