After nearly 11 months, the City of Yelm and Teamsters Local Union No. 252 have reached an accord on a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) to establish a contract with the union membership for 2025, 2026 and 2027.
Karen Bennett, the City of Yelm’s human resources specialist, said the process of preparing for a CBA began in March 2024 when Yelm City Council established bargaining parameters.
“On April 16 of 2024, bargaining began between the teamsters and the City of Yelm. There were a total of nine bargaining meetings through 2024, and one mediation meeting was held in 2025 leading to a tentative agreement,” Bennett said. “On January 29, 2025, the Teamsters Union Membership voted to ratify the contract.”
Bennett also highlighted a plethora of changes in the Teamsters Local Union No. 252 contract, stating there were no non-monetary items being changed. The first of many changes to articles in the contract included Article 12.3, which states that standby employees will receive $50 per day — which is nearly a $20 increase from the previous rate of $31.43 per day.
Article 13.2 saw an increase from $400 to $600 in monthly allowance for work clothing — including safety vests, safety glasses, hard hats, work boots and more. This increase was due to employees being required to provide approved work boots and work clothing for themselves.
Article 19.5 will see union members receive a $20,000 increase in life insurance. Prior to contract ratification, members had $10,000 policies but will now have life insurance policies of $30,000.
Article 27.1, which highlights classifications and salary schedule, says all employees shall receive an average wage increase of 5.5% effective Jan. 1, 2025. Bennett said this pay raise compliments the consumer price index adjustment to ensure that wages “stay competitive.”
Under Article 27.2, the following positions will receive a market adjustment: maintenance worker equipment operator (4.3% increase), collections technicians (4.3% increase), maintenance worker mechanic (1.1% increase), water operator one (5.3% increase), wastewater treatment plant operator one (1.2% increase), wastewater treatment plant operator lead (1% increase).
Articles 27.3 and 27.4 state that effective Jan. 1, 2026, and Jan. 1, 2027, all employees shall receive another wage increase of 3%.
Under Article 27.6, employees who hold a current and valid aquatic facilities operator (AFO) certification, assigned by the public works director or designee, will receive a 5% increase added to their base rate of pay during the months of May through September, according to Bennett.
Article 27.7 rewards employees for longevity within the union, as members tenured for 96 months (eight years) will receive longevity pay 2% above base salary. Employees tenured for 156 months (13 years) will receive longevity pay 3% above their base salary. Union members tenured for 216 months (18 years) will receive longevity pay 4% above their base salary, while employees tenured for 276 months or more (over 23 years) will receive longevity pay 5% above their base salary.
Yelm city councilors unanimously approved the CBA between the City of Yelm and Teamsters Local Union No. 252. Several of the councilors, including Stephanie Kangiser and Tracey Wood, thanked those involved in the contract agreement.
“Thank you for all your effort,” Wood said. “I know this was quite a battle we had on our hands, and it was drawn out and took a lot of time, so thank you for all of your efforts.”
