Call Toll Free +1 855-856-TIPS
Bellevue, Washington – A lengthy strike by concrete truckers and drivers has slowed or halted major projects in the Seattle area, including the light rail expansion, resulting in the layoff of hundreds of workers. The strike affects every concrete-related project in the region. The Teamsters Local 174 union, which represents concrete mixer drivers and employees at cement plants, has been locked in a standoff with concrete companies since late last year, and the union announced that 330 workers are now on strike.
Turner suspended construction of a Meta (formerly Facebook) building in Bellevue’s Spring District on Friday due to a concrete shortage. 165 people were on that job site prior to the strike; that number has gradually decreased week by week, little by little, to the point Turner was forced to cease operations.
In addition the strike has slowed construction of the light rail extension to Lynnwood, the Eastside, downtown Redmond, and Federal Way. Since December the agency has reported the disappearance of approximately 1,400 truckloads of concrete since December.
Related News
As of last Thursday the strike had resulted in contractors have laying off over 174 workers from construction sites due to a shortage of concrete and delays in associated work, with additional layoffs threatening an additional 120 workers at the end of this month,” Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff said during Thursday’s board meeting.
The Teamsters Local 174 has stated its willingness to discuss and work around key disagreements during the negotiations, but the concrete companies have stated their refusal to budge.
Four concrete companies stated in a statement that they have offered the Teamsters the best package in history, which includes a nearly 18% pay increase over the next three years.
Employers maintained that they did not lock out their employees, who may end their strike tomorrow and resume bargaining while construction resumes.
Recently, the two sides met with a federal mediator, but their disagreements remain unresolved. The union and employers have made no indication of a future meeting.
