Snohomish Teamsters defend their pension

City workers are in a tough contract fight, facing employer proposals that will slash benefits and worsen working conditions

SNOHOMISH, WA (October 28, 2025) — Workers who care for the city’s public spaces, handle waste water treatment, keep operations flowing in key city offices, and support the basic functions of city government are in a tough contract fight with the City of Snohomish, facing employer proposals to cut essential benefits won in previous negotiations. Workers are standing strong for a fair contract, and decrying a particularly egregious employer proposal to strip them of their Teamster pension.

The workers are in two bargaining units represented by Teamsters Local 763: public works and parks employees, as well as office technical staff in city planning and budgeting offices. They’re contract expires on December 31, and they’ve been in negotiations with the City since June with little traction.

The City wants to do away with the workers’ pension, won in the last round of contract negotiations, stating at the table that “one way or another, the pension will be gone,” per Teamsters 763. The employer wants to replace the pension with a 401k, subject to market volatility and without a guarantee of lifetime payouts. Most employees are not vested and stand to lose all contributions they’ve made, equal to up to ten years of pension benefits. The city politicians who approved the last contract including the pension are now trying to claw back benefits before any of the workers are able to realize them.

Beyond harm to the workers, the union estimates moving workers to a 401k and any negotiated remedy to make workers whole from the pension loss would be more expensive for Snohomish tax payers. Essentially, residents would be paying more just for workers to get less of a benefit.

Moreover, the City is pushing to get rid of a short-term disability benefit, and to slow down leave accrual. Management is also proposing wage increases that don’t keep pace with inflation, offering a contract full of take aways that will see wages fall behind the real cost of living.

At a Snohomish City Council meeting in September, workers spoke up about the ongoing issues in negotiations and shared concerns about harmful workplace culture and retaliation that many have experienced. Snohomish residents are taking notice and supporting the workers. After that meeting, the union shared a song written by one listener, the lyrics of which call for the City to respect the workers and for the community to “stand with 763.”

“Some at the top want to tear the pension down, break a promise made to the people of this town,” he sings. “Stand with the workers who built what you hold dear.”

Workers are rallying this afternoon and will be at the next city council meeting on November 4, sharing their contract fight with the public and showing the City they’re standing up for their hard-earned benefits and a fair wage. Teamsters 763 is also running a petition, and encouraging all supporters to sign and show the city that local communities stand with the workers.

TAKE A STAND: Rally with the workers today from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at 105 Cedar St, Snohomish, 98290 and again on Tuesday, November 4 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at 105 Cedar St, Snohomish, 98290 in advance of the city council meeting. Supporters are also encouraged to sign the workers’ petition to the City.