A freeze on wage talks

UNION GAP, Wash. -- A discussion on enacting a wage freeze among Union Gap city employees came to an abrupt halt Monday night after union representatives voiced their protest.

Two union officials said the topic should be reviewed during contract negotiations, which will begin later this year. They said having the talk now and in open session could be perceived as an unfair labor practice, especially since the City Council recently approved adding to the parks budget to hire seasonal employees.

Councilman Dave Matson, who initiated the discussion, said he's concerned about saving jobs. He had wanted to discuss the possibility of freezing cost-of-living increases for all 60 employees until the economy improves.

"Maybe I am being premature, but it's better than someone being jobless," he said earlier on Monday. "I really care about our people. They serve our city well. I don't want to walk up to someone with a pink slip."

So far this year, sales tax revenues are 4 percent, or $100,000, short of projections for the year. The city had expected to collect $1.5 million by May and has instead collected $1.4 million, according to city records.

Matson said he's concerned the trend will continue, and believes the city does not have the funds to both absorb the revenue shortage and give its workers cost-of-living raises for the time being. He's open to re-examining the issue every six months to a year.

The city budgeted $6.7 million for daily operations this year, $200,000 less than 2008.

Monday afternoon, Mayor Jim Lemon said the city has four unions representing employees and that about 90 percent of the staff belong to a union.

Union contracts expire at the end of December, and cost-of-living increases for the following year are a negotiated item, he said. Raises are usually given to all employees at the beginning of the new year.

* Erin Snelgrove can be reached at 509-577-7684 or esnelgrove@yakimaherald.com.