Prison staff considers contract

By Adam Wilson | The Olympian • Published September 18, 2008

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The union representing workers inside state prisons is voting on a two-year contract with Gov. Chris Gregoire, wrapping up this year's round of bargaining for state employees.

Teamsters Local 117 is considering the same 2 percent annual raises as the larger Washington Federation of State Employees but also won a "wage reopener" clause that would allow it to return to the bargaining table next year.

The state's budget situation will have to improve before bigger raises for some positions in 2009 can be discussed, and the union will have to show there are continuing problems recruiting people to work in prisons, said Leonard Smith of the Teamsters.

The union had a similar clause in the current contract and won higher wages after the second round of talks.

"Our biggest issue with the state is the state's inability to recognize that these jobs are unlike any other job the state is paying. Whether it's a nurse, a custodian, anything, working that job inside a prison is not the same as working in the Capitol," he said.

The contract affects 6,400 employees statewide, according to the state Office of Financial Management, which did not have a figure for its cost.

"Obviously, we can estimate based on the size of the membership, but we don't have a specific figure right now," said spokesman Glenn Kuper.

Outside of pay and benefits, a key provision of the Teamsters contract is the ability to transfer from one institution to another without going through the entire hiring process. The contract must be ratified by union members by Oct. 1.

"That's a big one," Smith said. "They haven't been able to transfer from institution to institution before. The institutions were operated as independent fiefdoms, really."

Several small unions remain at the bargaining table, including those representing lieutenants in the Washington State Patrol, state nurses and road engineers.

This article was edited 10:05 a.m. September 18 to correct language that the union is considering the contract and has not reached an agreement.