The Town of Twisp has reached a contract agreement with its police department employees, who are represented by Teamsters Local Union No. 760, that extends through the end of 2023.
The agreement was approved by the Town Council at its meeting last week. Council member Aaron Studen, who represents the council on the town’s Public Safety Committee, said “it was a big relief to reach agreement” after extended contact negotiations.
The contract does not include Police Chief Paul Budrow. It covers officers Ty Sheehan and Stephen Purtell, and clerk Vicki Hallowell.
Included in the contract is a “no strike and no lockout” clause, which stipulates that “Neither the Union nor its agents, or any employee(s) shall aid, cause, condone, authorize, or participate in any strike or work stoppage, slow down or any other interference with the work and/or statutory functions and/or obligations of the Employer,” and that “The Employer agrees that there will be no lockouts.”
The contract provides for a 2% pay increase over 2022 rates effective Jan. 1, 2023. Current pay rates for officers start at $22 per hour for a “step 1” position, ranging up to $33.50 per hour for a “step 7” officer. The clerk pay scale starts at $15 per hour for the clerk 1 position and ranges up to $18.22 per hour for the clerk 5 position.
Currently, Sheehan is at step 6, Purtell at step 4 and Hallowell is at step 3.
The contract also spells out in detail provisions for management rights, probationary periods, off-duty employment, seniority, layoffs and recalls, disciplinary procedures, grievances, vacations, holidays, sick leave, bereavement leave, disability, leave without pay, clothing and equipment, and retirement.
In other business at last week’s meeting, the council reappointed Jasmine Minbashian to the Planning Commission. Laura Chedalawada had also applied for the commission seat that Minbashian has held after being appointed to fill a vacancy last year. Council members interviewed both candidates before voting to reappoint Minbashian.
