County’s unionized workers rally against Somers

EVERETT — Members of Snohomish County’s largest public employee union filled two baskets with dog treats Thursday and delivered them to Snohomish County Council chambers.

The treats were a jab at Council Chairman Dave Somers, who typically brings his dog, Hewitt, to work. The workers had a message: “Throw employees a bone.”

Hundreds of employees attended a lunchtime rally to show displeasure with Somers and two other councilmen who rejected a tentative labor contract over the summer. Not coincidently, Somers is running in Tuesday’s election against County Executive John Lovick, who has received heavy union backing.

“I’m extremely concerned with the idea that Somers is using our contract as a political tool rather than what it is, which is our contract and our livelihoods,” said Nova Heaton, a civil engineer in the Public Works Department. “I think the county is full of amazing workers who are dedicated to their work and dedicated to the job.”

Heaton also serves as a union steward-at-large for Local 109E of the Washington State Council of County and City Employees. The AFSCME affiliate represents about 1,600 of the county’s nearly 2,800-strong workforce.

Somers’ relationship with the union has soured since August, when he voted with Councilmen Ken Klein and Terry Ryan to turn down a new three-year union contract.

The move was unusual because no formal contract offer had been presented. The executive’s staff and the union had been negotiating behind closed doors, which is standard.

Councilmembers Stephanie Wright and Brian Sullivan, who support Lovick, said it was premature and inappropriate to discuss the contract in public.

Somers and the other council members who voted against the tentative proposal said Lovick forced their hand. They accused the executive of violating the county charter by straying outside the guidelines the council set for negotiations. They said the county could not afford the proposed salary increases and might have to lay off employees to pay for them.

The council vote came the week after the Aug. 4 primary, when Somers finished slightly ahead of Lovick. The two Democrats advanced to the general election out of a field of five candidates.

To Michael Rainey, the timing of the contract vote was suspect. The public works dump-truck driver also serves as president of union Local 109.

“When Councilmember Somers did that, he got all of us involved,” Rainey said. “To me, there’s no other reason he would do that than for his own political purposes.”

Somers, earlier this week, said he has since given his support to what he believes to be a contract offer he says is more reasonable. He said mistruths are circulating about possible cuts to health insurance and cost-of-living increases.

He said employees are being misled to benefit Lovick.

“I think the leadership is just trying to get some energy behind John’s re-election,” he said.

During the rally, union members paid 25 cents for doggie treats, generating about $148 for charity. They piled an estimated 593 snacks into the baskets destined for the council chambers.

The bones missed their immediate target, though.

Somers was out of the office attending meetings.

The Washington State Council of County and City Employees has been Lovick’s biggest campaign donor. They have shelled out $56,000 for independent political advertising. That’s on top of a maximum cash contribution of $1,900 to Lovick’s campaign.

Lovick also has drawn support from unions for sheet metal workers, healthcare employees and firefighters. Democratic Party leaders are his other major source of support.

Organized labor has leaned heavily for the incumbent, but Somers hasn’t been left out entirely. The Snohomish County Deputy Sheriff’s Association and one electrical workers local union have endorsed him.

Somers’ campaign had amassed more than $183,000, more than doubling Lovick’s $80,000, state campaign finance records showed Thursday. Somers also benefited from about $103,000 in independent spending from political action committees affiliated with the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties.

Ballots for the all-mail election must be postmarked by Nov. 3 or deposited in a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. that day.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Southbound lanes on Highway 99 reopen after crash

The crash, on Highway 99 at 176th Street SW, blocked traffic for over an hour. Traffic was diverted to 168th Street SW.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Kelli Littlejohn, who was 11 when her older sister Melissa Lee was murdered, speaks to a group of investigators and deputies to thank them for bringing closure to her family after over 30 years on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘She can rest in peace’: Jury convicts Bothell man in 1993 killing

Even after police arrested Alan Dean in 2020, it was unclear if he would stand trial. He was convicted Thursday in the murder of Melissa Lee, 15.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.