Pros
Okay pay, if you're a salaried employee.
Cons
Where do I start? The pay is okay if you're part of the union. Better if you're salaried. WAY better. Raises for salaried employees are healthy; raises for union employees are microscopic. Hey - how's the inflated cost of living in Seattle treating ya? Benefits are okay, if you don't mind them not knowing when your actual effective date will be. Once you receive your paperwork a week before you're supposed to have it done, you see that medical starts after 4 months for you and kids only. If you want to cover your spouse, that's a 10 month wait. Want dental coverage? 10 months. 10 MONTHS. The union, together with NWA, has waived employees' rights to the Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time that was enacted in 2012 for Seattle employees. But salaried employees get it. See a pattern here? Just like another review said, there is VAST segregation between bargaining unit and salaried employees, though some of their positions aren't much different. Hiring practices are sketchy. Whether you're hired for a decent position depends on who interviews you, not on your experience or competence. Once in the door, promotions are slow. And yet, supervisors and managers come waltzing in the door with little to no experience (and it shows). The policies are ridiculous. Just read the other reviews. Dress code - no visible tattoos or piercings (as if that determines your ability and professionalism), no hair color, no capris, no boots with pants (but you can wear them with dresses?)... and it's completely inconsistent. Wear ankle boots on the 2nd or 4th floor and you'll be burned at the stake; but the 3rd floor employees walk around with pink Uggs, stretched lobes (which are also against code), green hair, the whole bit. Show up like that on any other floor and you'll be walked out the door. Many employees don't have phones on their desks. Great right? Naw. Noise level is still very high, between loud conversations, complaining, creaky 20 year old chairs, squeaky bathroom doors, you name it. Want relief? You're gonna need a doctor's note for that - and even then it's earbuds only, no music. Like another review said, that policy stemmed from something an employee did 20 YEARS AGO. Have kids or family that might need to get ahold of you during the day? Tough luck. It doesn't stop at lack of a desk phone - your cell is to remain in a drawer, purse, locker, on top of Mount Everest, in the bottom of the Abyss... all day. Better hope your kids and/or family don't have any emergencies. Or you're not expecting any calls from doctors, schools, ya know, anything that happens in real life during BUSINESS HOURS or anything else while you're here for 8 hours a day. Or 7.5 if you're a lowlife union employee. Dare to take out your phone and you're written up. Of course there are ways around all this. Become one of the favorites, because favoritism is like a plague here. You'll be fine. Do I dare talk about parking? Yeah... that part wasn't covered in my interview. Your choices are - pay $100+ for parking in "company" parking, more for surrounding lots, or gamble on finding 2 or 4 hour parking in the nearby neighborhoods. Drive your "beater" or "commuter" though because your car WILL be hit. OH, and don't forget to clock out when you're having to move your car several times a day. Just like you have to clock out for lunch and BOTH 15 MINUTE BREAKS. Speaking of clocking out! Your supervisor will allow you to take a personal emergency call on your cell, in the breakroom, with advance notice (huh?).... as long as you CLOCK OUT to do it. Training is a WHOLE other can of worms. Stock up on Xanax. That's all I'll say. OVERALL - toxic environment. People are miserable and it shows. Don't even try to smile at people in the hallway because it's returned with a scowl. The policies, pay, benefits, and all around environment spell "institution". Morale? What's that??? All they care about is lining the pockets of the greedy CEO. Bottom line.
