Omak City Council unanimously adopts AFSCME Public Works labor agreement

The Omak City Council on Jan. 28 unanimously approved Resolution 13-2026, adopting a labor agreement between Omak City and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) that covers Public Works employees. Member Nattalie Cariker moved the measure and Member Steve Clark seconded; the motion passed with no recorded dissent.

City Administrator Todd McDaniel summarized the key terms, saying "the agreement is for the Public Works Union." He told the council the pact includes a 3.5% wage increase for 2026, with the same increase set to apply annually through 2028, and that the city will continue to cover 70% of dependent medical premiums. McDaniel added that compensatory time accrual was increased from 30 to 40 hours and longevity pay was raised by $25; he also said a proposed VEBA was removed from this agreement but could be revisited later. "Overall, the increase is about of four percent," McDaniel said.

Councilmembers did not request further changes during the special meeting. There was no separate roll-call vote recorded in the minutes; the official motion as introduced and seconded carries the council’s unanimous approval as entered in the meeting record. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gagné at 11:00 a.m. and adjourned at 11:03 a.m.

The agreement affects the city’s labor costs for the Public Works unit and will be implemented as negotiated; the minutes do not specify budget line adjustments or the departmental fiscal impact beyond the percent increases described.