Yeah, we know what a tough negotiator Hession is... because he said so.
Here's something that never gets reported when we go into contract negotiations. Our pay raises are pretty much determined by comparable wages of other firefighters in similar WA State fire departments. And if we go into arbitration, that's what we will get - a comparable wage.
Our last contract, we were ready to settle for a small raise. But, the administration didn't want to do this. So, we came to the brink of arbitration and received pay increases which made our pay comparable to to other firefighters in the state. This raise was many times the raise we initially asked for.
All to say, much of the negotiation process is theater. The administration has to be perceived as "tough" by people who don't like unions. All the while, an arbitrator waits in the wings.
Perhaps Mary will cut to the chase and save the taxpayers money by settling, and not spending extra money on attorneys and arbitrators. Perhaps she will give people like you the theater you desire. We'll have to see.
But it doesn't matter if it is Mary or Dennis. In the end, we will get the same pay. Thanks for your comments.
3 comments:
Great news for all of Spokane . . . . except for when it comes to pay for your next union contract that Verner will be negotiating!
Yeah, we know what a tough negotiator Hession is... because he said so.
Here's something that never gets reported when we go into contract negotiations. Our pay raises are pretty much determined by comparable wages of other firefighters in similar WA State fire departments. And if we go into arbitration, that's what we will get - a comparable wage.
Our last contract, we were ready to settle for a small raise. But, the administration didn't want to do this. So, we came to the brink of arbitration and received pay increases which made our pay comparable to to other firefighters in the state. This raise was many times the raise we initially asked for.
All to say, much of the negotiation process is theater. The administration has to be perceived as "tough" by people who don't like unions. All the while, an arbitrator waits in the wings.
Perhaps Mary will cut to the chase and save the taxpayers money by settling, and not spending extra money on attorneys and arbitrators. Perhaps she will give people like you the theater you desire. We'll have to see.
But it doesn't matter if it is Mary or Dennis. In the end, we will get the same pay. Thanks for your comments.
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