In a move likely to have implications for the reopening of the West Seattle Bridge, and much more, Teamsters Union 174 has cut off joint bargaining with the four concrete companies in the Seattle area. After making a restructured offer on February 24, the union got no response they said.
They met with federal mediators and employer representatives that day and attempted to work out an agreement that would put workers back in trucks immediately while negotiations would continue on a full-term contract.
But as of March 3, they had made no progress. They announced on their website they were terminating joint bargaining immediately. They sent a letter to the companies' lead negotiator, Charlie Oliver – who represents Stoneway Concrete and Gary Merlino Construction.
Dear Mr. Oliver,
Yesterday, Director of Negotiations for Teamsters Local 174, Patty Warren, sent notices to each of the individual Sand & Gravel Companies informing them we are no longer willing to joint bargain. This is a process that has worked as a matter of convenience in past negotiations that we believe no longer serves the best interest of our members, the general public or the contractors and owners each of you made commitments to.
We believe each of you have used this process to hold the community at large hostage in an attempt at reaching your collective goal of “union busting” and “destabilizing the construction industry” going forward. Whether it has been through price fixing, job sharing or market control through material allotment, it is time to end the monopolistic power you hold in this region.
As stated in my letter of February 22, your actions have led to the loss of healthcare for your employees during a national pandemic, destroyed the construction boom in our community and caused layoffs for thousands of skilled trades workers who have done nothing to deserve your unfair actions. We are now insisting on negotiating with each of these companies individually in an attempt to get our members back to work building a city we can all be proud of.
In addition, we have still not heard one word from you as the President and chief spokesperson of Gary Merlino Construction Company on returning to the bargaining table to negotiate a contract covering your 34 employees since this strike began on November 19, 2021. In your February 22 email you stated “I will send you some dates in the near future to bargain this agreement”.
Again, we are available any day, anytime and any location. Just pick up the phone and let’s get this done!
Respectfully,
Rick Hicks
Secretary Treasurer
Teamsters Local 174