Deputy sheriffs' union: State mediators called in on contract negotiations

State mediators have been called in to help Whitman County negotiate a collective bargaining contract with the deputy sheriffs union.

County commissioners Monday called in the state’s Public Employee Relations Commission to settle contract talks with the deputies, who have their own bargaining group, the Whitman County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.

“Do we want our unions to define what’s a livable wage or our taxpayers?” asked Commissioner Michael Largent.

Kelli Campbell, director of the county’s human resources, said there are several sticking points between the county and the deputies. Campbell said she could not specify the differences between the two sides.

Deputies had been under a four-year contract signed in 2007. It expired at the end of 2011. For the first two months of this year they have continued under terms of the contract.

“They’re trying to do the best for their members. And we’re trying to work on sustainability,” said Commissioner Greg Partch.

Partch has criticized the deputies over the last two budget cycles for not conceding pay or medical benefits to help offset the county’s deficit.

Spokane negotiating firm Gary Hunt & Associates has been representing the county in negotiations with the deputies.

Campbell said state mediators have been called in several times over the last decade to negotiate with the deputies. She added negotiations with deputies have gone to an official arbitration stage only once.

“I think it will be a process like it always is,” Largent predicted.

The brokered talks should begin next month.

Negotiations for a new contract between the county and the deputies began last year.

The county has this year settled contracts with unions representing workers in the courthouse and road departments. Both are represented by the Teamsters Local 690 out of Spokane.

Courthouse employees received $550 one-time payments this year as a cost of living raise.

Road workers received 1.5 percent raises to their annual salaries.