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City council ratifies 2025–2027 labor contract with Teamsters-represented employees (114L)
Summary
Council ratified a collective bargaining agreement with the Washington State Council of County and City Employees (AFSCME-affiliated) Local 114L covering 2025–2027 with 3% COLA each year, increased deferred-comp match and longevity premiums, and higher city medical contributions.
The Bellingham City Council ratified a collective bargaining agreement covering Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027, with the bargaining unit represented as "114L" (Washington State Council of County and City Employees, AFSCME-affiliated). Terms presented to council included a 3% cost-of-living adjustment effective Jan. 1 of each year 2025, 2026 and 2027; an increased deferred-compensation match to 2%; raised longevity premiums (1.5% at 10 years, 2.5% at 20 years); and an increase in the city's medical insurance contribution by 6% each year.
The agreement also included a parity clause: if the city provides a higher wage increase in 2026 or 2027 to certain other bargaining units (E Team or Teamsters 231), the city will increase total compensation for 114L employees by the same percentage. Council Member Williams moved ratification; Council Member Hamill seconded. The motion passed by voice vote, 7-0.
Council recorded the contract's general terms on the public record and ratified the agreement to implement the negotiated changes. Staff presented the terms in open session; council did not discuss additional amendments at the meeting.
