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Make Data-Driven Compensation and Human Resources Decisions
With Cabot Dow’s Strategic Compensation Studies, Labor Negotiations, and HR Consulting.
We help you navigate the increasingly complex environment of public employee compensation, HR decision-making and labor negotiations.
Welcome to Cabot Dow and Associates! Our team helps you make smarter, data-driven HR decisions, allowing you to attract and retain the right talent, all without setting unrealistic expectations, over-promising and then under-delivering, or being out of step with the market. We do this through:
Objective, market-based compensation consulting for public entities and non-profits that allow you to create fair and impartial compensation standards.
Labor Negotiation services that help you stay within your budgetary constraints while satisfying all parties at the table.
Extending and supplementing your HR workforce with our HR Management Solutions.
Labor Relations support that handles grievances, disputes, mediation, and interest arbitration—so you can focus on serving your community.
Are you interested in learning more about how Cabot Dow could transform your organization through smarter, data-driven HR decisions?
Reach out for a free intro session, and we will begin working on a customized HR strategy!
Compensation Studies Performed
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Successful Public Entity Labor Negotiations
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Hours of HR Consulting in 2025
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Interest Arbitration Cases
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Grievances and/or Contract Disputes Handled
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Public Organizations represented in PERC Proceedings
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Public Entity Contracts Written
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Who We Serve
Cabot Dow and Associates specializes in serving the public sector. We also assist with non-profits and organizations that receive public funding. If you fall into one of these categories, we can team-up and advise your HR department to function more efficiently, as well as alleviate the stress involved with compensation studies, labor negotiations, setting salaries and benefits, and more.
- Public sector and non Profit HR professionals
- Elected Officials
- Members of WCMA and WSAMA
- Members of AWC and WACO
- Members of WASPC and WFCA
- PUD Professionals
- Library Professionals and Library Associations
- APWA and PTBA Members
- Police, Fire and 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatch Agencies
- Municipal Water Districts
- Municipal Sewer Districts
- Colleges and Universities
The Top 10 Features of Our Compensation Consulting and Negotiation Services
01
Custom and Transparent Process
We help you develop a compensation and negotiation strategy that works within your public entity’s goals and values. Our compensation studies and negotiation role then fits with the tailored approach that you have chosen — whether you retain us to be at the bargaining table or advising between negotiations meetings with the union.
02
Public Sector Focus
The majority of CDA’s clients are in the public sector, including cities, counties, utilities, libraries, and park districts. As a result of our strong network of local government clients, we provide our clients with a unique insight into the history and future development of the public sector employment landscape.
03
Versatile Staff
Because all of us have at one time worked for a local government, we can be deployed in a large variety of HR roles with minimal training and oversight from you. This includes our various research roles, contract writing, marketing, meeting with elected officials, performance evaluation, contract costing models, managing compensation, benefits assessments, executive recruitment, and more.
04
Flexibility on Policy
We don’t force you into a particular compensation philosophy; we just provide the information along with the consulting to help you make the best decisions based on your organization’s values and place in the market. Along the way, we’ll consult you on how to create a compensation system that is informed by your ongoing mission, goals, and values.
05
Collaborative Partnership with Your HR Team
We work closely with your team, serving as an extension of your Human Resources staff to meet your agency’s unique needs.
06
Washington State Expertise
We’ve been representing and consulting for public entities and non-profits in the State of Washington for 50 years and going strong. This experience gives us a keen sense of Washington labor and HR laws and best practices.
07
Common Sense Recommendations
One of our big goals is to provide a balanced and sustainable compensation structure and environment for your agency. With this goal, we ensure our judgments and recommendations are mindful of taxpayer resources, need for operational flexibility and budgetary constraints.
08
Local Government Expertise
All of our staff come from a local or municipal government background. We have a combined 90 years of local government HR experience.
09
Transparent Methodology
No proprietary programs or “black boxes” here – our process is simple, straightforward, and easy to understand. All of the results arrived at by our compensation studies, and how we arrived at them, are transparent and therefore easily replicated by HR staff.
This includes project schedules, job descriptions, and agreements from comparable agencies to ensure accurate, real-world salary comparisons. This approach provides you with the most reliable market insights to attract and retain talent—backed by defensible data.
10
Replicable Results
The results of our compensation studies are transparent, and therefore easy to replicate by HR staff for future compensation decisions.
Are you interested in learning more about how Cabot Dow could transform your organization through smarter, data-driven HR decisions?
Reach out for a free intro session, and we will begin working on a customized HR strategy!
How We Can Assist You
Compensation Studies
Achieve a Balanced Approach to Public Salaries and Benefits with Our Well-Researched Compensation Studies
Get the metrics you need in order to create a compensation system that will serve your organization for years to come.
Our compensation studies not only allow you to learn what comparable agencies are offering for compensation benefits, a customized compensation study helps you make data-driven decisions regarding salaries and benefits, allowing you to be more informed and impartial in your HR decision-making.
And it gets better…
Cabot Dow doesn’t stop once we provide the results of your compensation study. We help you bargain and implement the results in a way that is transparent and objective, as well as in-line with your organization’s objectives. The end result is that you’ll have the information to create a compensation system that is mindful of your organization’s budget as well as the current market.
Ready to get started on the path to a data-driven compensation system for your agency or non-profit? Learn more, then reach out to us for a free intro session.
Labor Negotiation Services
Collective Bargaining Agreements: Satisfactory Resolutions with Our Labor Negotiation Services
You want to operate with integrity and fairness while providing competitive salaries, wages, and benefits in your agency. But let’s face it…for some, labor negotiations aren’t exactly what you signed up for when you took on the role of a public servant.
Cabot Dow’s labor negotiation services can help your organization strike a balance between budgetary constraints and employee satisfaction. By avoiding common pitfalls like partiality, over-promising, and being out of step with the market, you can achieve mutually beneficial agreements that meet everyone’s needs.
Here are some of the key benefits of our labor negotiation services:
- Avoid partiality and ensure fair treatment for all employees.
- Negotiate pay and benefits that align with your organization’s budget.
- Retain high-quality employees and maintain a positive work environment.
Ready to find win-win resolutions to labor negotiations with a seasoned partner to navigate the process? Learn more about our offerings, then reach out for a complimentary intro session.
HR Management Solutions
Extend Your HR Department and Get the Help You Need with our HR Solutions
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the constant workload on your HR team?
Cabot Dow Associates offers a flexible solution for local public entities looking to enhance their HR capabilities without incurring additional full-time staff costs. Our HR Management Solutions help you fill the gaps in your HR workload by supplementing your current HR team with our staff of specialists in local and municipal government HR.
We assist with a variety of HR roles and tasks, putting resources where they are needed, when they are needed. In addition, we provide an expert voice by helping you understand current HR law and best practices.
Learn more, then reach out to us for a free intro session where we will unearth opportunities for how we can streamline your HR department’s activities.
Labor Relations Support
Labor Relations Support: Make the Right Negotiating Decisions
If you feel well over your head when it comes to handling difficult people and circumstances within your organization, then our labor relations support may be the solution you are looking for.
At CDA, we specialize in guiding employers through complex labor relations challenges, from grievance resolution and disputes, to contract negotiations, to interest arbitration and PERC mediation.Our team works closely with management to address disputes efficiently, ensuring fair and strategic resolutions that align with your organizational goals.
Want to learn more about our collaborative approach to negotiations, conflict and grievance resolution? Check out our page exclusively dedicated to Labor Relations Support.
Make Job Roles Clear. Stay Competitive. Set Your Team Up for Success.
We help public agencies take the guesswork out of pricing job roles and pay structures—so your team can focus on what really matters.
Clearer Job Descriptions, Built for Real Work
We dig into what employees actually do—not just what’s written on paper. Then we help you build a classification system that reflects the work happening across departments, so job descriptions make sense and can be used confidently for hiring, promotions, and planning. This includes the confidence to match your positions properly to like positions with like employers with which you compete for labor.
Real-World Pay Comparisons That Make Sense
Instead of relying on outdated survey information, we go straight to the source—reviewing salary schedules, job descriptions, and benefits from comparable agencies. You’ll get a clear picture of how your compensation stacks up, and what adjustments could help you stay competitive.
Smart, Practical Recommendations
We don’t just hand you data—we turn it into clear next steps. Whether it’s updating job titles, adjusting salary ranges, or rethinking career paths, we give you a roadmap that aligns with your goals and makes sense for your team. You decide where you want to go and we help you achieve what you are aiming to accomplish.
Tools and Support for the Long Haul
You’ll walk away with everything you need to keep things running smoothly—from updated job descriptions and salary comparisons to tools and guidelines your HR team can use to keep things up to date.
About Us
At Cabot Dow Associates, we’re passionate about helping public sector organizations thrive. Our team of experienced human resources consultants has a deep understanding of the complexities and nuances of local government, gained from working in local government and with a wide range of clients across Washington state.
Our Mission
We believe in empowering public sector leaders with the insights and expertise they need to make informed decisions about compensation, employee relations, and more. Our approach is built on a foundation of integrity, objectivity, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. We take pride in our work, knowing that it ultimately serves the interests of the citizens and taxpayers who rely on our clients.
Our Values
Expertise:
Our team is made up of seasoned HR professionals with a deep understanding of public sector agencies in Washington state.
Flexibility:
We offer flexible hours and a range of communication channels, including phone, email, and virtual meetings.
Responsiveness:
We’re committed to delivering timely, effective solutions that meet our clients’ needs.
Objectivity:
We bring a neutral, data-driven approach to every project, ensuring that our recommendations are based on solid evidence.
Meet Our Team
Our team is led by Cabot Dow, a seasoned expert with over 35 years of experience in human resources and labor relations. Cabot’s background includes stints as Assistant City Manager and Human Resources Director for the City of Bellevue, Washington, and being on staff at the Association of Washington Cities. Today, he brings his expertise to bear for our clients, helping them navigate the full spectrum of HR challenges.
Why Choose CDA?
When you work with Cabot Dow Associates, you can trust that you're getting expert guidance from a team that truly understands the public sector landscape. We're dedicated to coaching and helping our clients succeed; we are proud to have built a reputation for delivering high-quality, cost-effective solutions that make a real difference.
Recent Clients and Projects
Public Sector HR/Labor Projects
- Fire Districts and RFAs
- Public Transit PTBAs
- Port Districts – Police Officers and Firefighters
- Public Libraries – Librarians and Facilities
- 9-1-1 Communication Centers – Telecommunicators
Private Sector HR/Labor Projects
- Oil and Gas – Maintenance and Facilities
- Public Radio – Broadcasters and Copywriters
- Third Party Administration (TPAs) – Pension and Claims
- Entertainment – Musicians and Facilities
Contact Cabot Dow Associates
Steward public resources well with the help of our data-driven compensation studies and HR consulting services.
We want to help you make data-driven compensation and Human Resources decisions that will help you balance the needs of your municipal government or publicly funded entity.
Our objective compensation studies, labor negotiation, and HR consulting make it possible!
The first step is to reach out to us for a free intro session.
We will unearth opportunities for how we can work together, discuss what a custom compensation strategy could look like for your organization, and share about how we achieved success for organizations similar to yours..
FAQ
Our services are geared to leverage changes that will create a more efficient agency for years to come. With approximately 70-80% of a general fund devoted to personnel and benefits, anytime we can have a positive impact within these areas, it tends to vastly eclipse the cost it takes to hire CDA.
Additionally, we’re flexible to work within your budget, spending threshold, and authority. We routinely structure engagements to allow agencies to avoid a formal RFP process.
At CDA, we take on projects that we know we can handle, and we’ll work with you to establish a realistic timeline. We have a manageable workload, with around 25-30 projects per year, and a team with diverse expertise, including union and non-union employees.
On average, a compensation study plus strategy and consulting on implementation will take 3-4 months. If it’s a labor negotiation project, it may take around 5 months.
We get this question all the time, and the answer depends on your objectives. A lawyer will be more focused on legal analysis and compliance, while we are more focused on translating our experience and giving you the tools your HR team needs to succeed in the short and long term, in either a union or non-union environment.
CDA offers a more collaborative relationship where we are work alongside your HR team, oftentimes helping you analyze and structure your positions, proposals, pay structure, and more. In addition, we often form long-term relationships where we work with agencies for many years rather than simply taking on a single project.
While lawyers are skilled in legal analysis, we focus on the collaborative, HR professional side of labor negotiation and compensation studies. Our expertise in pay plan design and structure, combined with our long-term relationships with agencies, sets us apart. We’re also more cost-effective and provide continuity, having worked with many agencies for 20 years.
While lawyers are skilled in legal analysis, we focus on the collaborative, HR professional side of labor negotiation and compensation studies. Our expertise in pay plan design and structure, combined with our long-term relationships with agencies, sets us apart. We’re also more cost-effective and provide continuity, having worked with many agencies for 20 years.
Two primary options are available. We can operate as your spokesperson, where we are a member of the bargaining team. We can also provide an advisory role away from the table. With virtual negotiating proceedings becoming more and more common, we can often sit on on your meetings even when you hire us in an advisory role.