The latest step in the more than four month long concrete truck driver's strike that has paralyzed progress on numerous construction projects in the greater Seattle area is a new offer from the concrete companies. They sent a letter to Union Local 174 representing the drivers offering to pay for one month of health care coverage, but requiring the drivers to commit to working for two months as negotiations continue.

Here's the letter from the companies: 

"On March 24, 2022, the four concrete supply companies, Glacier Northwest, Stoneway Concrete, Salmon Bay Sand & Gravel, and Cadman sent a letter to the Teamsters Local 174 acknowledging our mutually agreed sentiment of getting our employees back to work.

The companies offered to pay the cost of medical insurance for coverage in April. In exchange, the union would agree to return all striking employees back to work prior to April 1, 2022. This offer would ensure all employees currently on strike will have medical coverage for their families. Without this offer, the striking employees would not be eligible for coverage in April since they did not work the required minimum hours in March.

The companies’ offer also stipulated that all employees would return to work for a minimum of 60 calendar days to allow for continued negotiations. The companies maintained their commitment to the mediation process with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS) to help resolve this labor dispute.

In the interest of time, the companies provided their offer to the union via facsimile and email to avoid any potential delay with scheduling a meeting. The companies also offered to meet with the union to discuss the companies’ proposal.

Respectfully,
Glacier Northwest, Stoneway Concrete, Salmon Bay Sand & Gravel, and Cadman"

The Union responded through their new national President Sean O'Brien on Friday afternoon. O'Brien said, 

"it's an empty promise. If they were so convinced they would have agreed to interest arbitration, we're willing to roll the dice either way, one way or the other, and interest arbitration could be 50/50 at that point in time. If they really committed about getting this deal done, getting our members back to work let's go to interest arbitration.

They're spending more money on these scabs, and all this fake labor and loss of work. Had they just come down and stop being so greedy, they're tripping over dollars to try and save nickels. It's a disgrace."