PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County officials are asking two unions to agree to pay freezes, deferring wage and cost-of-living increases, to avoid layoffs in 2011.
“It is important that we resolve this as soon as possible,” said County Administrator Philip Morley.
“We are asking for certain concessions, in order to submit a balanced budget in November.”
Whatever happens — if a measure to boost sales tax by .3 percent fails voter approval on Nov. 2, or if union concessions are not granted — the final budget document will be balanced despite a projected shortfall of $900,000, Morley said.
What that means, Morley said, is that if unions do not concede to the proposals that would contribute $290,000 toward the narrowing of the county’s budget deficit, there will be layoffs among the rank and file.
Some commenters at recent commissioner meetings, such as Jim Fritz of Port Townsend, have characterized this approach as “blackmail.”
Morley takes issue with that description of any part of the budget process.
“There is no blackmail. These are the facts,” he said.
“We are in the middle of the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, and we must balance the budget.”
The county has contracts with two unions, the United Federation of Culinary Workers and the Teamsters.
The county is asking the unions to defer expected wage and cost-of-living increases for one year.
Of the county’s 287 full-time employees, about 240 are union members,
Members of the culinary workers’ union are employed in the courthouse, Department of Community Development and the public health department, while Teamsters work in the sheriff’s office, public works, the Central Services Department and in information technology.
The remaining 47 employees are either elected officials or non-exempt staff who, according to Morley, have already agreed to the pay freezes.
Morley is scheduled to meet with the culinary workers’ union next week, and is in the process of scheduling a meeting with the Teamsters.
Morley declined to discuss details about talks.
“I don’t want to negotiate this agreement in the press,” he said.
“That would create the wrong dynamic for the discussion.”
Teamsters’ representative Dan Taylor also declined comment on the negotiations, although he said he understood that the county has warned of layoffs if an agreement is not reached.
Culinary workers’ union representative Chuck Ardingo was no more specific, but had an upbeat view.
“We are well aware of the financial concerns facing the county,” he said.
“Our members are fully aware of the situation, and are willing to work together to find the best solution for the county and our members.
“We believe we can work our a solution that will assist the county in their financial crisis and also take care of our members.”
As Morley approaches the Nov. 18 budget deadline, he is preparing alternate plans for budget cuts, depending upon the results or union talks and the fate of Proposition 1.
Proposition 1 would raise the Jefferson County sales tax rate from the present 8.4 percent to 8.7 percent, or three cents for every $10 purchase.
Forty percent of the tax increase revenue, projected to be $1,062,000, would, by law, go to the city of Port Townsend, which has agreed to use half of its share to support the Port Townsend Community Center and Memorial Field for up to four years.
The remainder of the revenue would go toward helping to fill the county’s projected shortfall.
If approved, the new sales tax would take effect April 1, 2011.
Morley has been conducting information sessions about the proposed tax hike, in which he tells of what programs could be cut or saved, depending upon voters.
He said he not allowed to actually campaign for the measure.
In addition to seeking union concessions, and hoping for a sales tax hike, Morley is encouraging department heads and elected officials to implement their own cost-cutting measures, whether they are furloughs or shortened work days.
Morley admits that the schedule of union negotiations is cutting it close, but says it could not be avoided.
“In a perfect world, we would have gotten started sooner,” he said of the union dialogue.
“But there is no big conflict, only two sides doing their best to get the negotiations done.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
