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Union leader tells board arbitration is costing district and urges fair wages
Summary
A union representative urged the board to avoid arbitration and criticized legal spending and wage outcomes, saying members feel the district has spent significant sums on outside counsel while workers still lack pay increases.
Heikis Williams, who identified himself as president of Power Professionals Local Authority, told the board the union sought negotiation rather than arbitration and said the district's legal costs have been large while members saw limited wage gains.
Williams said the union had petitioned the board in December, with more than 170 signatures asking the district not to pursue arbitration. "We pleaded to the board not to bring our case to arbitration, but to try to work it out," Williams said. "...the board proceeded to go to arbitration, and in turn, it's costing the district a whole lot of money."
Williams referenced prior spending on outside counsel and said the arbitration process has required budget amendments. "Last in 2023, the board spent over half a $1,000,000 with Shipment and Goodwin... then 2 months later, there was an amendment to get more money... that makes it over to $400,000," Williams said.
He asked the board to consider equity between attorneys and lower-paid employees and to seek fair wages for members. Board members did not respond to Williams during the public-comment period; the superintendent said public comments would be referred to administration for review.
