Port of Olympia commission approves raises for new union that still has no contract
The Port of Olympia Commission on Monday approved raises for a new union at the port that is still trying to secure its first contract.
Members of Local 47-B, which is part of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, are set to receive a 4 percent raise on Nov. 1 and another 4 percent raise on Jan. 1 as part of a memorandum of understanding between the port and union.
Although the union still doesn’t have a contract, those who spoke during the meeting characterized the raises as a step in the right direction.
The union and port have been negotiating since July 2022, said Ben McDonald, director of human resources and administration. They have been in mediation since March and have temporarily agreed to 16 articles of the contract, he said.
Prior to the vote on the raises, the three members of the commission shared their thoughts about the moment.
“I think this is a good faith direction in the right step,” Commissioner Bob Iyall said.
Commissioner Joe Downing said he applauds the port staff for getting some movement on the issue of a new contract.
Commissioner Amy Evans Harding also spoke in support of the raises.
“I sometimes walk along the marina before the meetings and it’s great to see the pride that our team takes,” she said. “It requires creativity and everyone assuming positive intent, which is what the whole team is doing, so thanks to 47-B and the staff for getting us moving in the right direction.”
Evans Harding wanted to approve the memorandum of understanding at a port work session last week, but her mind was changed after Downing pointed out the commission typically doesn’t take action in a work session and that a vote requires public comment.
There was some public comment on Monday, including from longtime Thurston County resident Deb Pattin, who also serves on the port’s citizens advisory committee.
She, too, said she supports the raises, saying it’s far better to pay these workers rather than lose them and for the port to continue to bargain in good faith to bring their pay up to comparable ports and comparable unions.
