Union Complains that Pierce County Violated Contract, Got Work Done More Efficiently

OK, the union did not mention that bit about work getting done more efficiently. But this story from The News Tribune certainly leaves that impression. Here's the lede.

A union has filed a complaint with the state alleging that Pierce County edged union employees out of hours and pay by allowing nonunion workers and volunteers to do park maintenance work.

Then, some of the specifics.

The complaint says the county:

 • Scheduled nonunion temporary workers for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday in January, even though union employees were willing to work overtime and in the past had right of first refusal.

 • Allowed nonunion workers, including those doing court-ordered community service, to do maintenance work during nonholiday hours without giving the union the chance to negotiate.

 • Allowed nonunion volunteers to do maintenance work at Gonyea and Dawson parks, which was previously done by union employees, without giving the union the chance to negotiate.

The Parks and Recreation director is quoted as saying she'd never knowingly violate the contract. The maintenance budget has experienced budget cuts. The complaint also charges that the county went around the union to speak directly to workers about possible facility closures and layoffs.

“The (county’s) actions have had the effect of chilling union activity and undermining support for the union,” the complaint says.

Contracts are contracts. But I'm guessing a lot of taxpayers may be applauding use of volunteers and avoiding paid overtime. Could be the Teamsters complaint will also have the effect of "undermining support for the union" in the broader community. It certainly looks that way from the comments on the TNT site.