City, union still in talks

AIRWAY HEIGHTS – The City Council discussed ongoing union negotiations during its Dec. 11 meeting.

City Finance Director Stanley Schubert also provided insight into a proposed change in staffing.

“The only two items are one extra FTE (full-time equivalent employee) for the Fire Department that’s paid through the Library District, and one FTE which is part of the building and planning department,” he said.

Schubert further touched upon the collective bargaining processes underway.

“If we can get an agreement in place at the first of the year, we can retroactively get it approved,” he added, without detailing the terms of the current proposals being discussed.

The city is currently engaged in collective bargaining with the Washington State Council of County and City Employees Local 270-A and the Airway Heights Public Safety Guild.

Negotiations are over wages, benefits and working conditions for city employees.

Author Bio

Clare McGraw, Reporter

Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.