IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
CITY OF EVERETT, No. 77831-5-1
Appellant, DIVISION ONE
V.
STATE OF WASHINGTON PUBLIC
EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS PUBLISHED OPINION
COMMISSION and INTERNATIONAL
ASSOCATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS,
LOCAL 46,
Respondents. FILED: October 28, 2019
SCHINDLER, J. — A public employer and a union representing public employees
have a duty to bargain in good faith on mandatory subjects of collective bargaining. It is
an unfair labor practice to insist on bargaining to impasse a non mandatory subject of
collective bargaining. During negotiations between the city of Everett (City) and the
International Association of Fire Fighters Local 46 (Union) on a successor collective
bargaining agreement, the Union proposed an amendment to "Article 27, Health and
Safety," to increase the minimum crew level of firefighters and paramedics on duty for a
24-hour shift. As a general rule, the determination of shift staffing is a fundamental and
strong management prerogative that is a nonmandatory subject of bargaining. The City
filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the Union, alleging the Union insisted on
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bargaining to impasse the proposal to amend Article 27. The Washington State Public
Employment Relations Commission (PERC) balanced the City's managerial prerogative
over shift staffing with unrebutted evidence submitted by the Union that demonstrated a
direct relationship between the proposed amendment and the workload and safety of
the firefighters and paramedics. PERC concluded the proposed amendment to Article
27 was a mandatory subject of bargaining. The City appeals the PERC decision to
dismiss the unfair labor practice complaint.' The City cites International Ass'n of Fire
Fighters, Local Union 1052 v. Public Employment Relations Commission, 113 Wn.2d
197, 778 P.2d 32 (1989), to assert that without regard to workload and safety concerns,
as a matter of law shift staffing is never a mandatory subject of collective bargaining.
We disagree. In International Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d at
204, the Washington State Supreme Court expressly rejected the assertion that the
determination of shift staffing "never can be 'working conditions' included within the
scope of mandatory bargaining." While "staffing levels typically weigh on the
managerial prerogative side of the balance," where there is "a demonstratedly direct
relationship" to workload and safety, shift staffing may be a mandatory subject of
collective bargaining. Intl Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d at 207,
204. The court held,"Every case presents unique circumstances, in which the relative
strengths of the public employer's need for managerial control on the one hand, and the
1 The Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys filed an amicus curiae brief on behalf
of the City. The Washington State Council of Fire Fighters filed an amicus curiae brief on behalf of the
Union. We reject the argument that under RAP 10.3(a)(8) and RAP 10.4(c), the Washington State
Association of Municipal Attorneys is entitled to submit new evidence as appendices. The City filed a
motion to strike "various studies" and other new evidence referred to in the Amicus Curiae Washington
State Council of Fire Fighters' brief "regarding risk" to firefighters. Because PERC did not consider the
evidence presented by Amicus Curiae Washington State Council of Fire Fighters, we disregard the new
information. See Tapper v. Emp't Sec. Dep't, 122 Wn.2d 397, 402, 858 P.2d 494 (1993)(judicial review
is confined to the record before the agency).
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No. 77831-5-1/3
employees' concern with working conditions on the other, will vary," and PERC must
carefully consider "meaningful distinctions in the circumstances" of each case. Intl
Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d at 207. Even if shift staffing is not
a per se mandatory subject of collective bargaining, the City contends PERC erred in
balancing the interests, and substantial evidence does not support finding a direct
relationship between shift staffing and workload and safety. We conclude PERC did not
err in balancing the strong fundamental prerogative of the City on shift staffing and the
unrebutted workload and safety testimony, and substantial evidence supports PERC
finding the Union demonstrated a direct relationship between the Union proposal to
increase the minimum number of crew on each shift and the workload and safety of the
firefighters and paramedics. We affirm the PERC decision.
City of Everett Fire Department
The Everett Fire Department operates six stations and responds to residential
and commercial building fires, fires at the Navy shipyard, medical emergencies, and
emergencies on Interstate 5.
The International Association of Fire Fighters Local 46 (Union) represents
firefighters, paramedics, captains, and battalion and assistant chiefs.
Article 27, Health and Safety
In 1974, the city of Everett (City) and the Union agreed to include "Article XXVII,
Health and Safety Measures," in the collective bargaining agreement. Article XXVII
established a minimum number of firefighters on duty for each shift.
In 1976, the City and Union reached an impasse on negotiating a successor
collective bargaining agreement. The City filed a declaratory judgment action. The City
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challenged the Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act(PECBA)2 statutes, RCW
45.56.100 and .450, that impose mandatory mediation and interest arbitration on
mandatory subjects of collective bargaining.3 The City also sought a declaratory
judgment on whether a minimum crew for each shift was a mandatory subject of
bargaining. In City of Everett v. Fire Fighters, Local No. 350 of the International Ass'n of
Fire Fighters, 87 Wn.2d 572, 555 P.2d 418 (1976), the Washington Supreme Court
rejected the City's challenge to the statutes that require mediation and interest
arbitration. Because the court affirmed the order to engage in interest arbitration, the
court declined to address whether minimum crew requirements is a mandatory subject
of bargaining. However, the court noted, "It would appear that the size of the crew
might well affect the safety of the employees and would therefore constitute a working
condition, within the meaning of RCW 41.56.030(4) defining collective bargaining." City
of Everett, 87 Wn.2d at 576.
On remand, the arbitration panel concluded minimum on-duty crew staffing for
each shift related to the safety of the firefighters and was a mandatory subject of
bargaining. With minor changes, the 1976 collective bargaining agreement and
subsequent collective bargaining agreements have included "Article 27, Health and
Safety."
Article 27, Health and Safety, states:
The parties recognize that manning (crew size, on duty shift force) vitally
affects the efficient and economic operation of the Department in providing
the best possible service to the community and, further, that changes from
the present minimum level agreed to in prior contracts do affect the safety
and job security of the members of the Union, and therefore agree as
2 RCW 41.56.010 through .900, RCW 41.06.150.
3 See LAWS OF 1975, 1st Ex. Sess., ch. 296, §§ 21, 29.
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No. 77831-5-1/5
follows:
The City agrees to maintain a firefighting force of at least twenty-five (25)
firefighters on duty at all times. The City further agrees to maintain at
least three (3)firefighters on each fire suppression company, one of whom
shall be a captain; to maintain two (2)firefighters on each aid car and to
maintain a battalion chief who shall be on duty with each fire suppression
platoon.
The City further agrees to use the attrition method in reaching the twenty-
five (25)firefighter minimum crew level. Attrition is defined as voluntary
quit, dismissal for just and sufficient cause, permanent disability,
retirement or death.
Provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the City may,
during the course of the contract year, seek to effect a change in the
minimum manning provided by paragraph one above. If the City desires
to effect such change, it shall propose to the Union a written proposal as
to the reduction sought including reason for the change, prior to the date
of the change.
2012-2014 Successor Agreement Negotiation
In 2008, the City imposed a zero-growth budget for the fire department. In 2010,
the City reduced the minimum crew on duty for each shift from 33 to 28. However, the
City "neither reduced the number of personnel assigned to an apparatus nor changed
the number and type of apparatuses required to respond to calls." For a medical
emergency,"a minimum of seven people on an engine, a paramedic unit, and, possibly,
an aid unit" are required to respond. If no aid unit is available, "a second engine
responds." For a residential fire, "a minimum of 17 personnel respond." For a
commercial fire, "a minimum of 21 personnel respond."
In 2014, the population and size of the City had grown to 104,900 citizens with an
area of 34.16 square miles, and the number of calls to the fire department had
increased to 21,389.
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No. 77831-5-1/6
In 2014, the City and the Union engaged in negotiations for a successor
collective bargaining agreement. In response to the significant increase in workload
and safety concerns, the Union proposed an amendment to Article 27 to increase the
minimum crew on duty for each shift to 35. The proposed amendment to Article 27,
Health and Safety, provides:
The parties recognize that manning (crew size, on duty shift force) vitally
affects the efficient and economic operation of the Department in providing
the best possible service to the community and, further, that changes from
the present minimum level agreed to in prior contracts do affect the safety
and job security of the members of the Union, and therefore agree as
follows:
The City agrees to maintain a firefighting force of at least twenty five (25)
thirty five (35)firefighters on duty at all times. The City further agrees to
maintain at least three (3) firefighters on each fire suppression company,
one of whom shall be a captain; to maintain two (2) firefighters on each aid
car and to maintain a battalion chief who shall be on duty with each fire
suppression platoon.
The City further agrees to use the attrition method in reaching the twenty
five (25)thirty five (35)firefighter minimum crew level. Attrition is defined
as voluntary quit, dismissal for just and sufficient cause, permanent
disability, retirement or death.
Provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the City may,
during the course of the contract year, seek to effect a change in the
minimum manning provided by paragraph one above. If the City desires
to effect such change, it shall propose to the Union a written proposal as
to the reduction sought including reason for the change, prior to the date
of the change.[4]
The City objected to the Union proposal to increase the minimum crew on duty
for each shift to 35. In a memorandum dated March 16, 2015, the City cited
International Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union 1052 v. Public Employment Relations
Commission, 113 Wn.2d 197, 778 P.2d 32 (1989), to assert the Union proposal was a
"permissive—not mandatory" subject of collective bargaining. The Union disagreed and
4 Alterations in original; emphasis in original.
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No. 77831-5-1/7
insisted on bargaining the proposed amendment to impasse. The Washington State
Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC)executive director certified the issue
for resolution by mediation and, if necessary, interest arbitration.5
Unfair Labor Practice Complaint
The City filed an unfair labor practice complaint with PERC. The City alleged the
Union violated the PECBA "by insisting to impasse on a permissive subject, namely,
shift staffing." The City alleged the Union proposal for "shift staffing, or 'minimum crew
level,' of 'thirty-five (35)firefighters on duty at all times,' "is a nonmandatory subject of
bargaining under Washington case law. The City requested PERC issue a cease and
desist order and award attorney fees.
The Union filed an answer and affirmative defenses. The Union alleged the
amendment to Article 27 is a "mandatory subject of bargaining because shift staffing,
given the facts, directly relates to work load of unit personnel and the health and safety
of the unit personnel." The Union cited International Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union
1052 to assert Article 27, Health and Safety, is a mandatory subject of bargaining
because "staff levels under the facts of this case have a demonstrably direct
relationship to employee workload and safety." The Union alleged, "While the call
volume for the City of Everett Fire Department has increased dramatically, the number
of personnel available to respond to the call volume has decreased over time," resulting
in health and safety concerns for the firefighters and paramedics. The Union requested
PERC to order the City to engage in mediation and, if necessary, interest arbitration and
award attorney fees.
5 The letter of certification notes,"The employer has claimed, and notified the union during
mediation, that this issue is a permissive subject of bargaining."
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PERC Hearing Examiner Decision
A hearing examiner conducted a four-day evidentiary hearing on the unfair labor
practice complaint. Several witnesses testified, including Everett Fire Department Chief
Murray Gordon, Everett Fire Department Administrative Coordinator Bonnie Netherby,
division and battalion chiefs, Oregon Health and Science University Sports Medicine
Chief and Human Performance Laboratory Director Dr. Kerry Kuehl, and occupational
and environmental medicine expert Dr. Carl Brodkin. The hearing examiner admitted
more than 100 exhibits into evidence.
The hearing examiner rejected the City's argument that because shift staffing is a
core managerial prerogative "solely within the province of managerial prerogative," there
is "no need" to balance the City's managerial prerogative and the firefighters' concerns
regarding workload and safety. The decision and order states, in pertinent part:
This case is not about the employer's right to determine its mission or set
the scope of services it provides its citizens. Instead, it relates to how shift
staffing levels that are set by the employer to provide those services
impact firefighter safety. The union's proposal does not require the
employer to reduce, increase, or eliminate the level of firefighting services
it provides to its citizens.
This case presents employee interests regarding workload and safety
issues related to shift staffing levels. The validity of those interests have
been acknowledged by the courts and Commission for forty years,
including twice by the Washington State Supreme Court, where the court
stated that the issue of shift staffing of firefighters "might well affect the
safety of [the] employees and would therefore constitute a working
condition." City of Everett, 87 Wn.2d [at 576]; [Intl Ass'n of Fire Fighters,
Local Union 1052], 113 Wn.2d 197 (1989). When a subject touches on
both employee interests in wages, hours, and working conditions and
management prerogatives, those interests must be balanced.
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No. 77831-5-1/9
The hearing examiner balanced the managerial prerogative of the City to decide
shift staffing levels and the workload and safety interests of the Union. The hearing
examiner concluded the Union "did not show a idemonstratedly direct' relationship
between cited safety interests and shift staffing levels to shift the balance in the union's
favor to make the shift staffing proposal at issue here a mandatory subject of
bargaining." The hearing examiner entered findings of fact, conclusions of law, and an
order requiring the Union to cease and desist from bargaining the shift staffing proposal
to impasse and seeking arbitration on the amendment to Article 27.
PERC Decision
The Union appealed the decision of the hearing examiner to PERC. The Union
argued the hearing examiner ignored the "unrebutted testimony" that established a
direct relationship between increased call volume and "the health impacts" to the
firefighters and paramedics. The Union cited testimony showing the "direct impact call
volume. . . has on workload, working conditions, health and safety of these Union
employees." In response, the City argued the Union did not establish "staffing at 28
creates unsafe conditions" and the Union did not present evidence "to tie their concerns
to specific staffing levels."
PERC reversed the decision of the hearing examiner. PERC adopted findings of
fact 1 through 5 and findings of fact 7 through 17 from the hearing examiner decision
and entered findings of fact 6, 18, and 19. PERC found the Union "met its burden to
prove that staffing impacted workload and safety." PERC found,"The employees'
interests in workload and safety outweighs the employer's right to determine the number
of firefighters assigned to each 24-hour shift." PERC concluded the Union proposal to
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No. 77831-5-1/10
amend Article 27 to increase the minimum crew on duty for each shift was a mandatory
subject of bargaining.6
Petition For Judicial Review
The City filed a petition for judicial review. The superior court certified the
petition for direct review. We accepted review under RCW 34.05.518(2).
The Washington Administrative Procedure Act(WAPA), chapter 34.05 RCW,
governs our review of the PERC decision. RCW 41.56.165; Pasco Police Officers'
Ass'n v. City of Pasco, 132 Wn.2d 450, 458, 938 P.2d 827(1997). Under WAPA,
judicial review is limited to the record before the agency, and "the burden of
demonstrating the invalidity of the agency action rests with the party asserting
invalidity." Puget Soundkeeper All. v. Dep't of Ecology, 191 Wn.2d 631, 637, 424 P.3d
1173 (2018); RCW 34.05.558, .570(1)(a); Tapper v. Emp't Sec. Dep't, 122 Wn.2d 397,
402, 858 P.2d 494 (1993).
The City alleges the PERC decision and order dismissing the unfair labor
practice complaint exceeds the statutory authority of the agency under RCW
34.05.570(3)(b), PERC erroneously interpreted and applied the law under RCW
34.05.570(3)(d), substantial evidence does not support the decision under RCW
34.05.570(3)(e), and the decision is arbitrary or capricious under RCW 34.05.570(3)(i).7
In reviewing the PERC decision and order, we sit "in the same position as the
superior court, applying the standards of the WAPA directly to the record before the
6 The PERC decision states it did not consider whether the parties previously "agreed to include a
subject in a collective bargaining agreement" in deciding whether the proposed amendment to Article 27
was a mandatory subject of collective bargaining.
7 PERC filed a brief. The City argues we should disregard arguments PERC makes on the
merits. While the role of PERC on appeal is limited, we consider the arguments that are in response to
the City's assertion that PERC acted outside its statutory authority or erroneously interpreted and applied
the PECBA. See Kaiser Alum. & Chem. Corp. v. Dep't of Labor & Indus., 121 Wn.2d 776, 782, 854 P.2d
611 (1993).
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No. 77831-5-1/11
agency." Tapper, 122 Wn.2d at 402. Because PERC is entitled to substitute its findings
for those of the hearing examiner, we review only the PERC decision on appeal. RCW
34.05.464(4); Yakima County v. Yakima County Law Enft Officers' Guild, 174 Wn. App.
171, 180, 297 P.3d 745 (2013); Yakima Police Patrolmen's Ass'n v. City of Yakima, 153
Wn. App. 541, 552, 222 P.3d 1217 (2009).
Under the error of law standard, we may substitute our interpretation of the law.
Pasco Police, 132 Wn.2d at 458. However, we give "due deference" to an
administrative agency on matters falling within its area of expertise. Port of Seattle v.
Pollution Control Hr'gs Bd., 151 Wn.2d 568, 595, 90 P.3d 659 (2004). The substantial
evidence standard is deferential; we do not substitute our view of the facts for that of the
agency if substantial evidence is found. Yakima Police, 153 Wn. App. at 553. We may
grant relief from an agency decision and order if substantial evidence does not support
the findings"'when viewed in light of the whole record.'" Pasco Police, 132 Wn.2d at
458 (quoting RCW 34.05.570(3)(e)). Substantial evidence is"'evidence sufficient to
persuade a fair-minded person of the[]truth.'" Yakima Police, 153 Wn. App. at 552-53
(quoting City of Federal Way v. Pub. Emp't Relations Comm'n, 93 Wn. App. 509, 512,
970 P.2d 752 (1998)). Unchallenged factual findings are verities on appeal. City of
Vancouver v. Pub. Emp't Relations Comm'n, 180 Wn. App. 333, 347, 325 P.3d 213
(2014).
Mandatory v. Permissive Subject of Collective Bargaining
The PECBA defines "collective bargaining" as
the performance of the mutual obligations of the public employer and the
exclusive bargaining representative to meet at reasonable times, to confer
and negotiate in good faith, and to execute a written agreement with
respect to grievance procedures and collective negotiations on personnel
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No. 77831-5-1/12
matters, including wages, hours and working conditions, which may be
peculiar to an appropriate bargaining unit of such public employer, except
that by such obligation neither party shall be compelled to agree to a
proposal or be required to make a concession unless otherwise provided
in this chapter.
RCW 41.56.030(4).8
Washington law distinguishes between mandatory and permissive subjects of
collective bargaining. As defined in RCW 41.56.030(4), "personnel matters, including
wages, hours and working conditions," are mandatory subjects of collective bargaining.
Tissues that address 'wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment' are
'mandatory' subjects about which the parties must bargain." Pasco Police, 132 Wn.2d
at 4609 (quoting Klauder v. San Juan County Deputy Sheriffs' Guild, 107 Wn.2d 338,
341, 728 P.2d 1044 (1986)). By contrast, "[m]anagerial decisions that only remotely
affect 'personnel matters'"and employer "decisions that are predominantly 'managerial
prerogatives' "are nonmandatory or permissive subjects of collective bargaining.
International Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d at 200.
The parties must bargain in good faith "on mandatory subjects" of collective
bargaining. RCW 41.56.030(4); Kitsap County v. Kitsap County Corr. Officers' Guild,
Inc., 193 Wn. App. 40,45, 372 P.3d 769 (2016). If the parties reach an impasse on a
mandatory subject, the dispute is resolved through interest arbitration. Pasco Police,
132 Wn.2d at 460-61. The parties may bargain on nonmandatory or permissive
subjects of collective bargaining but are not required to do so. Klauder, 107 Wn.2d at
342-43; Kitsap County, 193 Wn. App. at 45. It is an unfair labor practice to refuse to
8 We note the legislature has amended RCW 41.56.030 several times since 2012. LAWS OF
2015, 2d Spec. Sess., ch. 6,§ 1; LAWS OF 2017, 3d Spec. Sess., ch. 6,§ 808; LAWS OF 2018, ch. 253,§
6; LAWS OF 2019, ch. 280,§ 1. None of the amendments changed the definition of "collective bargaining."
9 Emphasis in original.
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No. 77831-5-1/13
engage in bargaining on a mandatory subject to impasse or to insist on bargaining a
nonmandatory subject to impasse. RCW 41.56.140, .150; Kitsap County, 193 Wn. App.
at 47.
A fundamental responsibility of PERC is to determine the scope of mandatory
bargaining under the PECBA. Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d
at 203. WAC 391-45-550 governs that determination:
The commission deems the determination as to whether a particular
subject is mandatory or nonmandatory to be a question of law and fact to
be determined by the commission, and which is not subject to waiver by
the parties or their action or inaction. It is the policy of the commission
that a party which engages in collective bargaining with respect to a
particular issue does not and cannot confer the status of a mandatory
subject on a nonmandatory subject.
Whether Shift Staffing is Never a Subject of Mandatory Collective Bargaining
The City contends PERC erroneously interpreted and applied the law by deciding
that the shift staffing amendment both relates to conditions of employment and is a
fundamental managerial prerogative. The City cites International Ass'n of Fire Fighters,
Local Union 1052 to claim that without regard to workload and safety concerns, as a
matter of law shift staffing is a "fundamental prerogative of management" that is never a
mandatory subject of collective bargaining.
In International Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d at 198-99,
the union proposed including a"'Standards of Safety' "provision in the collective
bargaining agreement to address the"'number and type of apparatus and the number
and rank of personnel responding to alarms.'" The city of Richland filed an unfair labor
practice complaint, alleging the union insisted on negotiating a nonmandatory subject of
bargaining to impasse. Int'l Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d at
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No. 77831-5-1/14
198-99. PERC concluded that because "equipment staffing 'has previously been held
to be a permissive subject of bargaining,'"the union committed an unfair labor practice
by bargaining a nonmandatory subject to impasse. Intl Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local
Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d at 202 (quoting City of Richland v. Intl Ass'n of Fire Fighters,
Local 1052, No. 6289-U-86-1214, 1987 WL 383145, at *2(Wash. Pub. Emp't Comm'n
July 31, 1987)).
The Washington Supreme Court reversed. The court concluded PERC
"abdicated its fundamental responsibility to determine the scope of mandatory
bargaining under the public employment collective bargaining laws." Intl Ass'n of Fire
Fighters, Local Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d at 203. Contrary to determining the scope of
bargaining based on the facts of the case, PERC assumed but did not decide the
dispositive issue of "whether Local 1052's proposal regarding equipment staffing and
deployment concerns a mandatory subject of bargaining." Intl Ass'n of Fire Fighters,
Local Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d at 202.
The Supreme Court expressly rejected the claim that "staffing level decisions,
whatever their relationship to workload and safety, never can be 'working conditions'
included within the scope of mandatory bargaining." Intl Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local
Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d at 204. The court held that
rwlhen staffing levels have a demonstratedly direct relationship to
employee workload and safety, however, we believe that, under
appropriate circumstances, requiring an employer to bargain over them
will achieve the balance of public, employer and union interests that best
furthers the purposes of public employment collective bargaining laws.
Intl Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d at 204.10 The court expressly
10 Emphasis added.
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No. 77831-5-1/15
states,"We have said as much before" and cites the decision in City of Everett:
In [City of Everett], we deferred to arbitration the question of whether a fire
fighter union's minimum shift proposal was a mandatory subject of
bargaining, noting that
the size of the crew might well affect the safety of the employees
and would therefore constitute a working condition, within the
meaning of RCW 41.56.030(4) defining collective bargaining.
Int'l Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d at 204 (quoting City of Everett,
87 Wn.2d at 576).
The court held that where a subject of collective bargaining relates to working
conditions and a managerial prerogative, the scope of bargaining is determined on a
case-by-case basis by a "balancing approach." Intl Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union
1052, 113 Wn.2d at 203. The court states workload and safety issues that concern
"wages, hours and working conditions" is a mandatory subject of collective bargaining,
while staffing level decisions are a strong and fundamental managerial prerogative. Int'l
Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d at 203, 205. "On one side of the
balance is the relationship the subject bears to 'wages, hours and working conditions'.
On the other side is the extent to which the subject lies 'at the core of entrepreneurial
control' or is a management prerogative." Int'l Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union 1052,
113 Wn.2d at 20311 (quoting RCW 41.56.030(4); Spokane Educ. Ass'n v. Barnes, 83
Wn.2d 366, 376, 517 P.2d 1362 (1974)). "Where a subject both relates to conditions of
employment and is a managerial prerogative, the focus of inquiry is to determine which
of these characteristics predominates." Intl Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union 1052,
113 Wn.2d at 203.
11 Internal quotation marks omitted.
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No. 77831-5-1/16
The court emphasized,"The law is clear that general staffing levels are
fundamental prerogatives of management." Intl Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union
1052, 113 Wn.2d at 205. For example," lw]hether a community will have a large police
force, a small one, or none at all, is a very basic managerial decision which ultimately
must be determined by the voting public through its elected representatives.'" Intl
Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d at 205 (quoting City of Yakima v.
Yakima Police Patrolman's Ass'n, No. 2427-U-79-351, 1981 WL 376896, at *3(Wash.
Pub. Emp't Relations Comm'n Apr. 8, 1981)); see also Kitsap County, 193 Wn. App. at
53.
The court states that "[c]ompared with shift staffing, . . . equipment staffing is not
so importantly reserved to the prerogative of management." Int'l Ass'n of Fire Fighters,
Local Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d at 206.
The distinction often has been noted in the case law. In the Yakima
Police[12] case, for example, where a shift staffing proposal was held to be
a nonmandatory subject of bargaining, the examiner carefully avoided
suggesting any conclusions about equipment staffing
Intl Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d at 206. But the court held that
while the managerial prerogative to decide staffing levels strongly weighs in favor of the
employer, PERC must carefully analyze the circumstances in each case and whether
there is also a demonstrably direct relationship to workload and safety working
conditions:
Every case presents unique circumstances, in which the relative strengths
of the public employer's need for managerial control on the one hand, and
the employees' concern with working conditions on the other, will vary.
General understandings—such as an understanding that staffing levels
typically weigh on the managerial prerogative side of the balance of
employer and union interests—may, of course, inform PERC's analysis.
12 City of Yakima No. 2427-U-79-351.
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No. 77831-5-1/17
But care must be taken to recognize meaningful distinctions in the
circumstances of different cases.
Intl Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d at 207.
We hold the Washington State Supreme Court decision in International Ass'n of
Fire Fighters, Local Union 1052 does not support the City's argument that without
regard to workload and safety, as a matter of law shift staffing is never a mandatory
subject of collective bargaining. Because the Union proposal to amend Article 27,
Health and Safety, to increase the minimum number of firefighters and paramedics on
duty for each shift both relates to "conditions of employment and is a managerial
prerogative," PERC did not err in balancing the City and Union interests to determine
"which of these characteristics predominates." Int'l Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union
1052, 113 Wn.2d at 203.
Application of the Balancing Test
In the alternative, the City contends PERC erred in applying the balancing test by
not considering the fundamental management prerogative of the City to make shift
staffing decisions, improperly considering the public interest as a factor, and
disregarding the evidence the City presented on the budget and the cost of the
proposed amendment to Article 27.
Managerial Prerogative
Contrary to the City's argument, PERC considered the City's "strong managerial
prerogative" to set shift staffing levels. The unchallenged findings state:
The employer has a strong managerial prerogative in being able to
determine shift staffing levels. This prerogative has long been
acknowledged by the Commission and courts. This is consistent with the
fact that employers are tasked with determining their mission, setting
service levels, and budgeting to provide those services.
17
No. 77831-5-1/18
PERC considered "the employer's interest in determining the size of its
workforce, the union's interests in workload and safety, and the public's interest in
receiving effective services." PERC recognized that "[s]hift staffing is generally a
permissive subject of bargaining" but concluded the Union presented "compelling
evidence" that the firefighters' "interests in workload and safety outweighs the
employer's right to determine the number of firefighters assigned to each 24-shift."
However, PERC notes:
By finding the union's proposal in this instance to be a mandatory subject
of bargaining, we are not finding that a proposal on minimum staffing
would be a mandatory subject of bargaining every time the parties
negotiate. Each round of bargaining would present facts for analysis.
While this does not provide parties with certainty about what topics are
mandatory subjects of bargaining, it does effectuate the appropriate
balance.
Public Interest
The City and Amicus Curiae Washington State Association of Municipal
Attorneys contend PERC erred as a matter of law in considering the public interest in
determining whether workload and safety outweighed the fundamental managerial
prerogative to decide shift staffing. PERC found that "[i]ncreases in the number of calls
responded to each shift directly impact firefighters' safety and the safety of the public
they serve." PERC concluded, in pertinent part:
In most cases, the Commission has recognized that the public acts
through its elected representatives. City of Yakima,[No. 2427-U-79-351].
However, in a case such as this, the public's interest in safety must be
weighed. [Intl Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union 1052], 113 Wn.2d at
204. The public places its trust and safety in the hands of professional
firefighters and paramedics. The public has a strong interest in receiving
assistance from a firefighter that is not physically, emotionally, or
psychologically fatigued from the effects of responding to 10 to 16 calls
per shift. Each call may have a different physical, emotional, or
18
No. 77831-5-1/19
psychological toll on a firefighter. It is in the public's best interest that
firefighters are able to respond in the best possible frame of mind so that
they make sound decisions and move safely in high-risk situations.[131
PERC did not err in considering the public interest. In International Ass'n of Fire
Fighters, Local Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d at 203, the Washington Supreme Court states
the legislature "delegated to PERC the delicate task of accommodating the diverse
public, employer and union interests at stake in public employment relations." The court
concluded that requiring an employer to bargain over staffing levels "under appropriate
circumstances . . . will achieve the balance of public, employer and union interests that
best furthers the purposes of the public employment collective bargaining laws." Int'l
Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local Union 1052, 113 Wn.2d at 204.14
Cost Evidence
The City contends PERC erred in disregarding evidence of the cost of the Union
proposal to increase the minimum crew on duty for each shift. The City asserts the
exclusion of the evidence was arbitrary and capricious. An arbitrary and capricious
action is a"'willful and unreasoning action, without consideration and in disregard of
facts and circumstances.'" Wash. lndep. Tel. Ass'n v. Wash. Utils. & Transp. Comm'n,
110 Wn. App. 498, 515,41 P.3d 1212(2002)(quoting Pierce County Sheriff v. Civil
Serv. Comm'n for Sheriff's Emps. of Pierce County, 98 Wn.2d 690, 695, 658 P.2d 648
(1983)).
PERC did not consider evidence that the City presented on the cost of the Union
proposal because the City provided specific cost information for the first time at the
13 Emphasis added.
14 Emphasis added.
19
No. 77831-5-1/20
hearing:
While the employer communicated to the union that the union's proposal
was expensive, the employer did not tell the union that the employer could
not afford the proposal. However, the employer introduced evidence at
hearing about the cost of the union's proposal. Employer Exhibits 22 and
23 showed the cost to pay a firefighter. Arguments raised only at hearing
and not presented to the other party during negotiations should not be
allowed to form the basis of a party's argument that a proposal is or is not
a mandatory subject of bargaining. See [Intl Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local
29 v. ]City of Spokane,[No. 9648-U-92-2177]([Wash. Pub. Emp't
Relations Comm'n June 23,] 1994).
The decision not to consider the cost evidence was not arbitrary or capricious.
The record supports PERC finding the City did not present specific cost information until
the hearing. "[C]ollective bargaining includes the duty to provide relevant information" to
the other party. City of Bellevue v. Intl Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local 1604, 119 Wn.2d
373, 383, 831 P.2d 738 (1992)(citing Nat'l Labor Relations Bd. v. Truitt Mfg. Co., 351
U.S. 149, 152-53, 76 S. Ct. 753, 100 L. Ed. 1027(1956)(good faith bargaining requires
a party asserting an "inability to pay" to present "some sort of proof of its accuracy").
PERC did not err in disregarding the cost evidence the City presented for the first time
at the hearing.15
Findings of Fact on Increased Workload and Safety
The City contends substantial evidence does not support a portion of finding of
fact 18 and finding of fact 19. The City challenges the following underlined portion of
finding of fact 18:
Firefighting is an inherently dangerous, high-stress profession that impacts
firefighter health and safety through exposure to chemicals or bodily fluids,
ill or injured individuals, and fires. Increases in the number of calls
15 For the first time on appeal, the City cites chapter 35.33 RCW to argue PERC "acted outside its
statutory authority" by impinging on the City's obligation to adopt a balanced budget. As the Union points
out in a supplemental brief, the City can present evidence on cost and the ability to pay at the mediation
and interest arbitration.
20
No. 77831-5-1/21
responded to each shift directly impact firefighters' safety and the safety of
the public they serve. As the number of calls increase throughout a shift,
firefighters' mental and physical readiness for the next call are adversely
impacted. Fatigue directly impacts safety.
Finding of fact 19 states, "The union established that staffing had a demonstratedly
direct relationship to firefighter workload and safety."
Unchallenged findings of fact and unrebutted testimony establish a dramatic
increase in the volume of calls to the fire department with no increase in the number of
firefighters and paramedics to respond to the calls.
The City of Everett has grown over the decades. In 1978, the population
was 52,000 in an area of 22.68 square miles. There were 4,980 calls for
service and the fire department was staffed with a minimum of 26
firefighters per shift. In 2014, the population was 104,900 in an area of
34.16 square miles. There were 21,389 calls for service and the
department was staffed with a minimum of 28 firefighters per shift.
A 2007 "needs assessment" for the fire department concluded:
"[W]hen an engine company responds to 10 or more alarms per day, they
are considered to be 'ineffective' for all subsequent responses or
additional duties, such as training or inspections." The needs assessment
identified the national standard of "effective" responses as less than 10
calls per day.
A comparison of "the number of dispatches per unit" based on the City's 2012 annual
report showed "a decrease in the minimum number of firefighters on duty and the
increase in call volume resulted in firefighters responding to more calls throughout their
shifts."
Captain Sebastian Sittig prepared a "statistical analysis of the number of calls
that Everett responds to" and "the number of calls their comparable departments"
responded to in 2014. Captain Sittig used a metric for "the total number of calls versus
the total minimum staffing" to show "how many calls each minimum staff is responsible
21
No. 77831-5-1/22
for. . . responding to." Captain Sittig testified that in 2014, Everett firefighters
responded to "over 1,000 calls . . . per year" and the "vast majority" of other local
departments "are below 600."
The City contends the evidence the Union presented does not support finding a
direct relationship between increased workload and firefighter safety. We disagree.
RCW 34.05.461(4) supports the decision to reject the City's characterization of the
testimony of the division and battalion chiefs as anecdotal evidence that could not
establish a direct relationship between workload and safety. PERC found:
The battalion chiefs were in the best position to testify about the level of
fatigue they had observed among their staff. Such observations are the
type of evidence that reasonably prudent persons would rely on. Further,
the employer did not rebut the battalion chiefs' testimony.
The unrebutted testimony of the fire department chiefs and captains supports
PERC finding a demonstrably direct relationship between workload and safety. The
testimony established the increased demand to respond to calls resulted in safety risks
to the crews on duty for each shift.
Battalion chiefs are shift commanders. Battalion Chief Roger Westlund testified
that response time is critical, but due to the increase in call volume, "there will be
delayed responses because rigs far away" will have to respond. Chief Westlund
testified the increased response time creates an "increased risk." Division Chief John
Gage also testified that the increased demand of 10 to 12 calls each day caused a
delayed response. Chief Gage testified there was a correlation "between delayed
response time and safety to the firefighter." Chief Gage described the safety protocol of
"two-in, two-out." The protocol requires a firefighter crew to wait to enter a burning
building until "another crew" is available to "come in and rescue us or back us up."
22
No. 77831-5-1/23
Chief Gage testified the unavailability of units and crew to respond to increased call
demand means crew members "may have to do the work of two or three people while
you wait for that other unit to get there because they are delayed." Chief Gage testified
it was necessary to order crew members "to work more than 24 hours because of
shortages that we have." Chief Gage said, "[W]e have seen an increase in the number
of. . . on-the-job injuries." Chief Gage said the "illnesses, the sick leave" is "starting to
trend back upwards" and "is in direct relation" to the increase in call volume.
Captain Michael Lande testified that his engine company averaged "10 to 15"
calls a day. Captain Lande said that in his last three shifts, "we've been running about
14, 15, 16 calls" each shift. Captain Lande said that "if" he slept during those shifts, "it
was probably for a half an hour." Captain Lande explained that decontamination and
cleaning the equipment is "critical." Captain Lande testified that on at least two
occasions, the crew did not have time to clean and decontaminate the fire truck before
responding to another call. Captain Lande testified he "had to sacrifice our health" in
order to respond to the next call.
Battalion Chief Jeffrey Edmonds testified that the increase in call volume
prevents firefighters from training and performing inspections. Chief Edmonds said
training "is not occurring" and a firefighter "can't be a 911 responder without appropriate
training." The firefighters "don't have time" to train or "practice rescues" and delayed or
inadequate training is a "risk to the safety to the firefighters and the paramedics." Chief
Murray Gordon agreed that "not getting all the training in as is requested or normal
because of a lack of time" would "compromise to some extent the preparedness of the
firefighter. . . [t]o provide service."
23
No. 77831-5-1/24
Chief Edmonds testified that the increased "call volume" increased the workload
"for everybody" on duty:
If an apparatus is on a call, they're obviously out of service and unable to
respond to another call in their area. So that leaves other rigs to jump that
and move in. So if there's a call in this area, which I've had, and no rigs
are available that have — assigned to this area, another apparatus has to
come out. So it increases everybody's workload around the city. Not just
the areas where we do staffing, it increases the workload for everybody.
Chief Edmonds testified that "[o]n a fairly continual basis we'll have, if not all, most of
the units out of service." Chief Edmonds testified the firefighters are fatigued "as a
result of the calls and other duties they have." Chief Edmonds said it is rare that a
firefighter's "sleep is not interrupted."
Battalion Chief Donald Plucker testified that 10 or 15 years ago, he could get
"members [to] come in off duty to staff rigs," but "it's an extreme challenge now. . . to
staff the rigs necessary to provide coverage of the city and to provide additional
manning at the incidents." Chief Plucker testified the firefighters are overworked and
fatigued and "[m]ore and more" firefighters are "calling in sick and injured." The record
also shows that in 2014, the number of "days away" the firefighters had due to injury
claims with the Department of Labor and Industries was 361. In 2015, the number of
"days away" from work increased to 525.
Oregon Health and Science University Sports Medicine Chief and Human
Performance Laboratory Director Dr. Kerry Kuehl testified about "fatigue as it relates to
safety issues with firefighters." Dr. Kuehl testified, "[W]hen you get fatigued," there are
"mental deficiencies as you're not as astute and vigilant." Dr. Kuehl said a firefighter
"can maybe get by on some adrenaline for a while. But as that fatigue continues, you
lose posture stability, you lose muscular ability."
24
No. 77831-5-1/25
Dr. Kuehl testified about the lack of sleep and disease:
[W]e know that if you get less than six hours of sleep in a 24-hour period
— anyone not just firefighters — that's equivalent to smoking a pack of
cigarettes a day on your heart. . . .
The significant thing about that is in firefighters, in our studies that
we published, they were getting about 5.7 hours of sleep, and that's
across the board in a 24-hour period. So that places them at a high risk
for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, but that's the
nature of the work. Now, there are certain departments that have less
sleep than that depending on call volume, and there's departments that
get more sleep than that.
Dr. Kuehl testified, "[W]e know that as call volume increases and firefighters have less
chance to get sleep, that cancer, heart disease, and injury rates go up."
For the first time on appeal, the City argues Dr. Kuehl's testimony was "too vague
and speculative" under ER 702. The record does not support the City's argument. Dr.
Kuehl testified that "when I look at Everett's call volume, . . . there is a correlation
between sleep deprivation, fatigue, and injury."
Occupational and environmental medicine expert Dr. Carl Brodkin testified about
the "correlation between the call load or the exposure load that firefighters have, and the
exposure to disease — the diseases they contract." The expert testimony of Dr.
Brodkin supports finding the increased exposure to hazardous conditions, the greater
the risk to a firefighter to suffer disease and adverse health outcomes.
Dr. Brodkin testified that "firefighters have unique line-of-duty exposures" to
carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide from fire smoke. Dr. Brodkin
testified that "exposures from [the] firefighting environment" can result in "both acute
short-term and chronic long-term health risks."
Dr. Brodkin testified "strong evidence" supports a "relationship to the number of
exposures that a firefighter is subject to and disease that may be contracted." Dr.
25
No. 77831-5-1/26
Brodkin described the "concept of dose response" and how "an adverse health affect
increases as the exposure increases." Dr. Brodkin stated that "increase in demand and
dose response increasing exposure is an important principle for firefighter risk."
Dr. Brodkin testified that different cancers "tend to be dose-response" diseases
and the "greater the exposure to the carcinogen, the agent that causes cancer, the
greater the risk for developing cancer." Dr. Brodkin said, "Melanoma and other skin
cancers associated with light exposure, genitourinary cancers of the bladder and
kidney, the brain, and colon cancer are all dose-response diseases. The greater the
exposure, the greater the risk." Dr. Brodkin testified, "[O]n a more probable than not
basis," dose response and increased exposures creates "increased risk for respiratory
disease" in firefighters, a "greater. . . risk for developing cancer," and greater risk for
cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Brodkin testified about a study of 360 retired firefighters that showed 77
percent of the retirements "were related to coronary heart disease."
[T]he evidence of dose response was really in the setting in which this
occurred. There was a fifty-fold increased risk — 5,000 percent increased
risk with on-duty fire suppression activities, highly statistically significant.
As well as a 600 percent increased risk associated with alarms.
So these are periods of very high demand and, clearly, this is
where the risk for coronary disease occurs. In fact, 30 percent of line-of-
duty cardiac incidents of disease presenting occur during fire suppression.
The highest demand, period. Even though fire suppression is probably —
it's published about 5 percent of firefighter activities, it's 30 percent of
coronary heart disease mortality.
In an eight-year study of 812 firefighters in Seattle, Dr. Brodkin found "a marked
decline" in "fusing capacity." Dr. Brodkin defined "fusing capacity" as the "ability of
oxygen to travel from the airways after we inhale into the blood system through the
capillaries of the lung." Dr. Brodkin testified the study showed a "significant association"
26
No. 77831-5-1/27
between the "greater the number of calls, the greater the risk for the respiratory impact."
Another study showed that when "[3] firefighters per ladder or engine" increased to 4,
the crews "experienced a 25 percent reduction in time loss injuries as well as a dramatic
71 percent reduction in shifts lost due to injury."
The City contends Dr. Brodkin's reliance on studies related to health concerns
and dose response in firefighters was too vague or speculative to show a direct
relationship between workload and firefighter safety. We disagree. Without objection,
Dr. Brodkin testified:
Based on the information I've presented I certainly have concluded that
firefighting represents a unique operation with substantial health hazards
related to exposure and, therefore, exposure-related illness. And
increasing work demand, including demand from manning and staffing
requirements, including the dose response and the demand and control
issues that increase risk for job strain, all of these result in increased
exposure not only to chemical agents, but physical stressors, as well as
psychological stressors with concomitant risk for disease and adverse
health outcomes. And certainly, this would include acute and chronic
exposure-related health impacts, including musculoskeletal injury,
cardiovascular disease which we've talked about, respiratory disease
which we've talked about, occupational cancers, as well as mental health
conditions.[161
The uncontroverted testimony supports the unchallenged finding that states:
Firefighters have safety interests that are related to shift staffing. When
firefighters respond to service calls, they are exposed to hazardous
elements that can cause physical and psychological injuries. Some of
these elements include smoke,fumes, dangerous chemicals, blood-borne
pathogens, and being struck by falling objects or vehicles. The exposure
to these elements can lead to immediate injury or illness, or to more long
term impacts as a result of cumulative exposure. Responding to
increased numbers of service calls increases exposure to risk elements.
We conclude substantial evidence supports finding that the increase in the
number of calls responded to during each shift directly impacts the firefighters' safety
16 Emphasis added.
27
No. 77831-5-1/28
and the Union established shift staffing has a demonstrably direct relationship to
workload and safety.
We affirm the decision of PERC.
WE CONCUR:
28