Washington Governor Ferguson Calls for Salary Survey After Ferry Sickout
Following a sickout that disrupted Washington State Ferries service, Gov. Bob Ferguson has ordered a new evaluation of marine engineers' salaries ahead of union wage negotiations next summer, the Washington State Standard reported on October 16.
Negotiators for Ferguson refused to offer a wage increase to members of the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association in months of talks on a new two-year agreement. The union did not ratify an agreement, and the dispute went to a third-party arbitrator. Engineers have raised concerns about pay disparities with deck crews, excessive overtime and staffing shortages.
Ferguson acknowledged the need to address the pay gap but said the state's budget challenges could delay changes.
The state transportation department has since been restoring normal schedules on the affected routes. The governor's office said the review will draw on market pay data for comparable positions and will inform the next round of collective bargaining.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 华盛顿州议会大厦，位于奥林匹亚 / Washington State Capitol in Olympia (Wikimedia Commons)
