Sedro-Woolley council approves AFSCME Local 176 memorandum of agreement to clear promotion backlog

The Sedro-Woolley City Council approved a memorandum of agreement with AFSCME Local 176 that changes internal promotion rules, revises callback pay, and allows the city to hire up to step 4 within salary ranges, a staff member said.

Staff member Charlie, who presented the item, told the council the MOA addresses “pain points that both the union and the city have had with our current contract.” He said the three elements are intended to clear a backlog of promotions that are currently on hold.

Charlie told the council the city has budgeted for the promotions in its biennial budget and that staff does not expect a fiscal impact from the agreement. Councilman Lavaca moved to approve the MOA, Councilwoman Diamond seconded, and the motion passed by voice vote; Councilwoman Kestie recused herself from the discussion and vote.

The MOA lets the city hire within a greater portion of the pay range (up to step 4), adjusts callback-pay language, and modifies internal-promotion procedures, according to the staff presentation. No ordinance or code change was requested; council action authorized staff to implement the MOA and proceed with promotions currently held pending the agreement.

Council discussion was brief and focused on whether the budget covered the changes; staff repeated that the biennial budget provided the needed funds. No individual roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript.

The council moved on to other agenda items following the vote.