Last week, Arbitrator Michael Cavanaugh ruled that the City, under the direction of Brenda Bauer, violated the rights of four city employees when they were terminated in the fall of 2010. These four employees must now be rehired, or given the option of rehire, along with over a year of back wages and benefits.
This is worth your readers’ attention for a few reasons. There is quite a bit of money—our money—involved in this case: you do the math in terms of back pay, staff time, and lawyers’ fees. The human cost is also high. Layoffs are bad enough—many of us have been through them—but now it is established that Ms. Bauer’s were in violation of a collective bargaining agreement. People have been treated unfairly, and now more people—at least two—may be “bumped” out of their positions. This does not bode well for morale at City Hall.
This situation, while unfortunate, is no surprise. It is part of a pattern of poor employee-employer relations directly traceable to Ms. Bauer’s management decisions. During her tenure:
– A decision was made to reduce four lieutenants in rank to sergeants without following the procedure specified in civil service rules. The City reversed its decision once it was clear that the CSC would actually make an objection.
– Actions have been taken to insult and embarrass the Police Guild. There has been a very public shaming of two board members, and suggestions have been made, on the city’s website, about officers’ inability to do their jobs (at least in the context of background checks). These kinds of actions have consequences. One grievance has been filed against the City which has now gone to arbitration.
– Under the leadership of Councilmember Scales, the decision was made to reduce the salary of our municipal judge. The City Manager confidently informed the public that this was a decision entirely within the law, based on an “escape” clause in her contract. The King County Superior Court disagreed, and awarded back pay and damages. Another taxpayer expense; another aggrieved employee.
There has been much chatter lately about secret memos among councilmembers and unfair agenda items. I think it’s time to move the conversation from this scuttle to more substantive matters. The essence of the city manager’s job is to manage employees, understand their contracts, and encourage their best performance. Our Manager is failing at these central tasks, and we pay a high price as island residents.
Commentary by Kim Hendrickson
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