Thurston County road workers have approved a vote of no confidence in their management, citing poor treatment, excessive turnover and more concerns.
The workers held the vote during a Feb. 26 union meeting in the Public Works Dispatch room of their campus on Tilly Road Southwest.
The union informed Karen Weiss, director of Thurston County Public Works, about the vote in a three-page letter dated March 14. Specifically, the workers agreed they had no confidence in Roads Operations Manager Mike Lowman and Roads Supervisor Nick Bemis.
"The lack of respect shown to the employees of the Roads Department by these two Roads Department leaders over the last several years has resulted in the employees having no trust in their department leadership and that relationship appears to be irreparable," the letter states.
The letter describes a deteriorating relationship between workers and management in a division that's responsible for maintaining the safety and reliability of Thurston County's over 1,000 miles of roadway. Beyond worker morale, the letter says working conditions have led to operational inefficiencies, safety concerns and increased costs that directly burden taxpayers.
When reached on Friday, Weiss confirmed she received the letter but did not comment further. Weiss, who was was promoted into her current role three months ago, said she needs more time to respond.
"Given my relatively new status as Public Works Director, I am taking time to process and gather background information to help with my understanding of the issues raised," Weiss said.
Tim Binschus, staff representative for Washington State Council of County and City Employees AFSCME Council 2, AFL-CIO, sent the letter on behalf of the workers of Local 618-T. The letter states 85% of total membership attended the meeting and the vote of no confidence was unanimous.
Current and former workers began publicly voicing their concerns about management earlier this year. The Olympian published an article on Feb. 9 that detailed workers' allegations of a toxic work environment and discrimination. The day after, Weiss informed staff the county was initiating an investigation with an outside firm.
To that end, the county agreed to pay D Diamond Consulting, a Seattle-based firm, up to $12,000 to investigate employee claims, Clerk of the Board Amy Davis told The Olympian earlier this month. The contract does not have pre-set completion date, she said.
Michael Rainey, president and executive director of Council 2, said the union held the vote and sent the letter to Weiss because of a "critical breakdown" in the relationship between employees and management.
"Traditional negotiation and communication channels have not effectively addressed the department's severe and worsening problems," Rainy said. "The most significant catalyst for our membership has been the inability to recruit and, more importantly, retain quality employees."
The high turnover has caused decreased morale and increased workloads for workers to the extent that the union felt compelled to act, he said. The letter states these problems began shortly after Lowman became Roads Manager in 2021.
Statements from both current and former workers consistently cite a pattern of disrespectful treatment, micromanagement and a hostile relationship with roads management, the letter says.
"Exit interview data corroborates these accounts, highlighting concerns about low morale, lack of respect for employees, employees being belittled and continually talked down to, and an overall lack of support from roads leadership," the letter says.
The letter says the union expects the county to engage in direct dialogue to develop mutually agreeable solutions, increase oversight and initiate an independent review of current management practices.
Rainey said the union understands the county hired D Diamond Consulting to investigate specific claims that involved Lowman and Bemis, but the union does not know how broadly or narrowly this investigation is focused.
"We will not know this until the investigation is completed and the results are presented to the county," Rainey said.
Rainey said Weiss' response will dictate the union's next steps.
"Our membership is ready and prepared to take further workplace action if necessary," Rainey said.
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