Sheriff's workers OK new labor contract

Flathead County Sheriff's Office non-sworn employees ratified a new contract 29-19 on Thursday.

The employees were not happy with the final contract terms, but decided to move ahead and revamp the terms in the next contract, said Timm Twardoski, lead negotiator for the Montana council of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Until recently, both sworn and non-sworn sheriff's employees had belonged to their own independent associations, which did their collective bargaining with Flathead County. However, both groups recently joined the federation and have their own locals, although neither local has a number assigned to it yet.

The 72 people in the non-sworn employees local include clerical workers, dispatchers and detention workers.

The non-sworn employees' former association's contract expired June 30, 2006.

Major sticking points in the talks were scheduling and how far back the new contract's pay increases should be made retroactive.

The union wanted the pay increases retroactive to July 1, 2006, Twardoski said.

At times, management offered a July 1, 2006, date, but couldn't reach agreements on other matters, Sheriff Mike Meehan said.

Management's second-to-last offer on the retroactive pay raises was Jan. 1, 2007; the two sides then compromised on Oct. 1, 2006.

The union employees will receive a 3.4 percent cost-of-living increase in their wages this year, with subsequent annual raises determined by a formula. The new contract extends to Dec. 31, 2008.

Twardoski said the union was handicapped in the talks because AFSCME took over negotiations partway through the talks - after the independent association began the talks.

He said the Sheriff's Office management took a harder line than it had in previous negotiations.

Meehan said the talks proceeded the same way regardless whether AFSCME or an independent association was on the other side of the table.

Meanwhile, the federation recently took over the fledgling collective bargaining talks for the almost 50 Flathead County deputies. The deputies also have been working under a contract that expired June 30, 2006.

Reporter John Stang may be reached at 758-4429 or by e-mail at jstang@dailyinterlake.com