Northwest Carpenters Union Strikes, Stalling Some WA Projects

REDMOND, WA — Work paused Thursday on hundreds of Puget Sound construction projects, both large and small, as a strike began among members of the Northwest Carpenters Union. The union narrowly voted against a fourth proposal from the Associated General Contractors over the weekend and authorized a strike action to begin Thursday, including planned picket lines in Redmond, Bellevue, Seattle and Fife.

Due to existing agreements, many major projects are exempt from the strike, including ongoing construction at Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena and worksites at Sound Transit, the Port of Seattle and Seattle Public Schools. Some of the sites expected to be impacted by the strike include Microsoft projects in Redmond and Sammamish and construction at Bellevue Plaza. Workers at the sites exempted from the action must pay into a strike fund to support those on the picket lines.

Local media shared images from picket lines and work stoppages Thursday, including at a Facebook project in Redmond. The Seattle Times reports roughly 2,000 members work at sites covered by the strike.

According to the union, 56 percent of voting members opted to reject the latest AGC proposal, which included:

• 20.4% total package (wages and benefits) increase over four years.
• Pay increases retroactive to June 1, 2021.
• Increased employer contributions to health care and pension funds.
• Stronger harassment and discrimination protections.
• Expanded parking reimbursements near certain sites.
• Increased employer contributions to training and apprenticeship programs.

"Being a union carpenter means the freedom to vote democratically to determine your own wages, benefits and future," said Evelyn Shaprio, the union's executive secretary-treasurer. "Our members have been divided over this historic agreement and we do not take going on strike likely. We must come together and build an agreement that will unite our membership."