Spokane County, Decision 14047 (PECB, 2025)

STATE OF WASHINGTON

BEFORE THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

James Trefry, General Counsel, for the Washington State Council of County and City Employees.

Joshua Groat, Labor Relations Manager, for Spokane County.

Findings of Fact

1.                  The Washington State Council of County and City Employees filed a representation petition concerning the Program Specialist and Program Specialist 2 at Spokane County. 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 appears to have been voluntarily recognized. If PERC were to describe the existing bargaining unit represented by the Washington State Council of County and City Employees it would be described as follows:

All full-time and regular part-time employees at the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office in the following job classes: Accounting Technician 2, Staff Assistant, Digital Forensic Specialist, Forensic Lead Specialist, Forensic Specialist, Forensic Technician, Mechanic, Regular Training/Accreditation Program Manager, Sheriff Registration Coordinator, Sheriff Investigative Analyst, Sheriff Technical Assistant 2, Sheriff Technical Assistant 3, Sheriff’s Public Records Specialist; excluding 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 Washington State Council of County and City Employees shall be modified to include the Program Specialist and Program Specialist 2 for a bargaining unit described as follows:

All full-time and regular part-time employees at the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office in the following job classes: Accounting Technician 2, Staff Assistant, Digital Forensic Specialist, Forensic Lead Specialist, Forensic Specialist, Forensic Technician, Mechanic, Program Specialist, Program Specialist 2, Regular Training/Accreditation Program Manager, Sheriff Registration Coordinator, Sheriff Investigative Analyst, Sheriff Technical Assistant 2, Sheriff Technical Assistant 3, Sheriff’s Public Records Specialist; excluding 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

Spokane County Program Specialist and Program Specialist 2 employees in the bargaining unit described in finding of fact 4 have chosen

Washington State Council of County and City Employees

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

ISSUED at Olympia, Washington, this  19th  day of February, 2025.

PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

Michael P. Sellars, Executive Director