Seattle Construction Unions Reach Contract Agreements

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.acppubs.com/article/CA6460614.html

Staff
July 16, 2007
Pacific Builder and Engineer

Seattle— Associated General Contractors of Washington, representing contractor members, has reached contract agreements with union negotiators for the Teamsters, Carpenters, Laborers, Cement Masons, and Operating Engineers, likely avoiding the possibility of a costly strike during this busy construction season.

As a May 31 deadline loomed, the Teamsters and Local 302 of the Operating Engineers were the last to settle, reaching tentative agreements on May 25.

Members of the Carpenters, Laborers, Cement Masons, and Operating Engineers unions ratified five-year agreements in late May. Each of these contracts is open for wage and fringes in the final two years of the agreement.

The Teamsters had yet to ratify their agreement at the deadline for this edition of PB&E, but their negotiating team, made up of five locals, was unanimously recommending ratification to the Teamster membership. The Teamsters' agreement is a five-year deal with the final two years open for wages and fringes only.