No deal

Published 9:44 am Thursday, October 2, 2008

With Snoqualmie police and firefighters in their 15th month of working without a contract, a mediator has stepped in to help the city, police and firefighters’ unions find common ground.

Representatives of the city of Snoqualmie and Snoqualmie Fire and Rescue Local No. 4028 met last Thursday for their first mediated talks, while the city and the police union have been holding mediated sessions since last fall.

Though not unheard of, contract talks dragging on for more than a year isn’t normal, Local No. 4028 president Steve Reno said.

“It’s been a tough negotiation,” he said.

The firefighters’ union originally re-quested to start bargaining for a new contract in June of 2005. Firefighters sought to maintain [then-] current benefit levels and stay competitive with surrounding departments in pay, according to a union statement.

Firefighter negotiators included three members of the union, and an attorney hired in March of 2006 to assist with negotiations. At the city table was the city administrator, attorney, human resources director, financial officer, fire chief and an outside attorney hired to assist the city with negotiations.

For the complete story, pick up a copy of the Valley Record or subscribe by calling (425) 888-2311