Union questions addition of 5 deputies in hard times

A union representing Pierce Transit employees is questioning a recent decision to hire additional sheriff’s deputies for security at a time when the agency is trying to save money.

The agency’s board of commissioners in March agreed to hire five Pierce County deputies at a cost of $525,000 this year and about $700,000 next year.

The move comes as the agency’s primary source of income – the sales tax – has plummeted more than $40 million over two years. Pierce Transit has said it may have to eliminate bus service in much of the county in 2012 or ask voters to approve a three-tenths of 1 cent sales tax increase.

Pierce Transit chief executive Lynne Griffith said the agency got the deputies at a bargain price.

“Dollar for dollar, it was a good investment, even though it was one of our more complicated times,” she said.

Isaac Tate, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 758, questioned the wisdom of hiring more deputies at a time when the agency is talking about major service cuts.

“If we’re all looking at downsizing, then why the additional officers?” Tate said.

Pierce Transit relies on a mix of security officers and off-duty officers from local police departments to provide security on its buses and at Park & Ride lots.

Since 2008 it also has contracted with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department to provide additional security.

Until recently Pierce Transit contracted for eight deputies and had planned to add five more. But it postponed hiring the new deputies as the agency’s budget problems grew.

Then earlier this year Sheriff Paul Pastor offered a deal: Pierce Transit would pay a lower rate for the new and existing deputies. And the Sheriff’s Department would pick up the cost of putting the new deputies through the police academy – an expense that otherwise would have been borne by Pierce Transit.

Griffith said the deal saved Pierce Transit $89,000 annually and $540,000 in start-up costs such as the academy and new uniforms.

Still, the agency had not budgeted the cost of the new deputies. So in March the board agreed to tap money set aside to replace vans to cover this year’s $525,000 cost.

Pierce Transit may find grants or tap reserves to cover the cost in future years. It also could cut other security spending. If it can’t find enough money it could scrap the Sheriff’s Department contract when it expires in 2011.

Griffith said spending money on security can reduce costs incurred because of crime. Last year there were 21 assaults on transit vehicle operators, including one that resulted in $32,000 in medical bills.

Griffith said security officers also address crimes such as disorderly conduct and fare evasion that occur on buses but are low priorities for local police.

Terry Lee, chairman of the Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners, said the board wants to ensure that people feel safe riding the bus. He said the board decided to take advantage of the chance to hire five deputies at a discount.

But he acknowledged “the timing wasn’t the best because of the economy.”

“It was an agonizing debate,” Lee said. “It wasn’t a slam dunk.”

Tate said he’s not against public safety. But he questioned the timing of hiring the deputies.

He said the additional expense makes it hard to accept the agency’s argument that employees should renegotiate a 4 percent raise scheduled for July so the agency can contain costs.

“It’s really hard to tell your members it’s really bad when they can spend $700,000,” Tate said. “Everything they’re doing is putting peoples’ minds in doubt.”

David Wickert: 253-274-7341 david.wickert@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/politics