No raises through 2014 in contract with salaried city workers approved by council

The union that represents most of the city’s salaried workers will have no raises through 2014.

The Spokane City Council on Monday voted 5-0 in favor of a contract for the Spokane Managerial and Professional Association. The group represents about 260 city workers and is the second-largest city union.

The total cost of compensation to the workers is estimated to fall by 0.14 percent a year under the deal because of changes to the group’s benefits.

Membership of the group was divided over the deal. It was approved with only 55 percent support, association President Carly Cortright said.

She said the goal of the group was to find a budget-neutral deal because of continued budget problems faced by the city.

City Councilman Mike Allen thanked members of the group for sacrificing “in solidarity with the citizens.”

“I really appreciate them stepping up,” Allen said.

City Council President Ben Stuckart added: “I think we all second that.”

The contract is retroactive to the start of this year. For 2013, the group agreed to pay for any increases in the cost of its medical plan above 4 percent. Members, however, will have the option of switching to two cheaper plans. Members gave up an annual bonus that was equal to 1 percent of their pay.

Cortright said members are frustrated by the contract and recent job eliminations.

“We don’t feel that we are valued by administration in general,” she said.