City of Seattle, Decision 13790 (PECB, 2024)

STATE OF WASHINGTON

BEFORE THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

Steve Kovac, Business Representative, for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 77.

Sascha Sprinkle, Labor Negotiator, for the City of Seattle.

Findings of Fact

1.                  The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 77 filed a representation petition concerning the Senior Telecommunication System Installers at the City of Seattle. The Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) determined the petition was timely filed and accompanied by a sufficient showing of interest. No other organization claimed to represent the employees involved.

2.                  The existing bargaining unit was last certified in City of Seattle, Decision 12598 (PECB, 2016). The employer voluntarily recognized the addition of certain employees in the bargaining unit. The existing bargaining unit represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 77 is described as follows:

All full-time and regular part-time Information Technology Professional B and C positions, Telecommunication System Installers employed by the City of Seattle in the following departments: Seattle Information Technology Department, Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle City Light, Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle Fire Department, Seattle Police Department, Seattle Municipal Court, Financial and Administrative Services, Human Services Department, Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections, and the Department of Neighborhoods; and the Informational Technology Professional – A positions employed by the City of Seattle in the following departments: Seattle City Light and Seattle Municipal Courts; excluding supervisors, confidential employees, and all other employees.

3.                  Because the more than 50 percent showing of interest threshold was met, PERC conducted card check proceedings. The employees were given a free choice in the proceedings. The tally of results was provided to the parties. No meritorious election objections were filed.

4.                  The existing bargaining unit represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 77 shall be modified to include the Senior Telecommunication System Installers for a bargaining unit described as follows:

All full-time and regular part-time Information Technology Professional B and C positions, Telecommunication System Installers, and Senior Telecommunication System Installers employed by the City of Seattle in the following departments: Seattle Information Technology Department, Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle City Light, Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle Fire Department, Seattle Police Department, Seattle Municipal Court, Financial and Administrative Services, Human Services Department, Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections, and the Department of Neighborhoods; and the Informational Technology Professional – A positions employed by the City of Seattle in the following departments: Seattle City Light and Seattle Municipal Courts; excluding supervisors, confidential employees, and all other employees.

Conclusions of Law

1.                  The unit described in finding of fact 4 is an appropriate unit within the meaning of RCW 41.56.060.

2.                  Representation proceedings were conducted in accordance with RCW 41.56.095 and chapter 391‑25 WAC.

certification

City of Seattle Senior Telecommunication System Installers employees in the bargaining unit described in finding of fact 4 have chosen

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 77

as their representative for the purpose of collective bargaining with their employer.

ISSUED at Olympia, Washington, this  14th  day of February, 2024.

PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

Michael P. Sellars, Executive Director