There’s a time when each politician has the unenviable process of claiming no to their buddies.
That will come before later for Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson.
At subject are contentious in-office insurance policies for metropolis staff.
Wilson should prioritize group good and taxpayer worth over the non-public preferences of public staff.
Again in 2024, former Mayor Bruce Harrell introduced that Metropolis of Seattle government department staff have been anticipated to report back to their worksites in-person three days every week, “constructing on efforts to enhance collaboration and repair to residents whereas nonetheless permitting distant work flexibility.”
Metropolis labor unions, together with PROTEC17, demanded to barter the directive. A settlement settlement allowed some metropolis staff to work from the workplace two days every week, although metropolis coverage nonetheless known as for 3 days of not less than 4 hours.
The settlement expired on the primary of the 12 months. Metropolis sources say a 90-day extension is at the moment in pressure.
As noted by Occasions reporter David Kroman, Harrell’s return-to-office coverage was poorly acquired by PROTEC17 and contributed to its resolution to again Wilson within the mayoral marketing campaign.
As laborious as returning to the civic campus could also be for some of us, three days every week is the minimal metropolis staff should be within the workplace.
A latest Seattle City Auditor report on allowing underscores the significance of in-person interactions with the general public.
Earlier than 2020, Seattle Division of Building & Inspections had allowing counters in Seattle Municipal Tower downtown, the place clients might meet with employees and get solutions about their allow. The allowing counters have been completely closed in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and changed by digital assist.
In 2023, the division opened a brand new customer support desk within the foyer of Seattle Municipal Tower to offer extra basic in-person help to clients. Nonetheless, metropolis staff mentioned this service didn’t at all times meet buyer wants.
“Throughout our interviews, some SDCI staff mentioned they imagine extra in-person buyer assist could be useful, significantly in the course of the allow utility course of,” wrote the auditor on Dec. 23.
The town ought to be doing every thing doable to make allowing straightforward and predictable.
Not all Seattle staff share the identical expertise. Police, fireplace and different departments are on-site, and about 114 staff who report back to the Legislative Division are of their places of work not less than 4 days every week.
It’s a brand new day at Metropolis Corridor. Govt department staff should be there to each serve the general public and faucet the ability of collaboration.
