PROTEC17 members at Snohomish Health take their fight for a fair contract to County Council

On June 26, seven PROTEC17 members walked out of the Snohomish public health department building in unity to deliver public comment at the County Council meeting in support of a fair contract. Since November, the bargaining team has been in negotiations with Snohomish County, and has hit a wall on two items – a fair cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), and anti-discrimination language.

In their testimony, members spoke about the importance of fair wages in their upcoming contract. Between inflation, lack of market wage adjustments, and a COLA that was below other County employees in the last contract, PROTEC17 members are fighting to close the gap.

“We know we have the statistics and facts on our side, but it was important to make sure the people with decision-making power also heard our stories,” said Sara Lidstrom, Snohomish County Epidemiologist and PROTEC17 Chapter President who testified at the meeting.

Members also spoke about the importance of including anti-discrimination language, enforceable through the grievance procedure, in the next contract – a proposal that the County has thus far rejected, despite claiming to be committed to a workplace free from discrimination.

“As Public Health workers, we advocate for our community every day to ensure they are treated without discrimination and that people have what they need to thrive, but this time it was important to advocate for our colleagues and friends,” continued Lidstrom.

In addition to the members who delivered in-person testimony, two members testified virtually, and dozens of members submitted written comment to encourage the Council to do the right thing. Also, two fellow County union members from AFSCME attended in solidarity.

“It was so exciting to join my colleagues in this collective action,” said Lidstrom. “While we were mostly all pretty nervous to get up there, it helped to know we were there together and there was power in our collective voices! I’m so proud of our chapter for showing up the way we did.”

“Without the strength of a union, far fewer of us would feel empowered to speak up for ourselves when things don’t seem right,” concluded Lidstrom.

Thanks to everyone who signed up to testify in support of our bargaining team and our Chapter! To get the latest information on negotiations, check your personal email or reach out to PROTEC17 Union Representative Steven Pray at .