Seattle construction threatened by union’s contract negotiation

Seattle’s construction boom could come to a grinding halt if concrete workers don’t get their contracts renewed.

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The contract for Local 174 concrete workers union expired at midnight on Monday. Twice this week, the union rejected contracts from their employers after they say they were low balled.

The union rank and file have already approved a strike in the event its bargaining team doesn’t approve a contract.

If a strike does come it could have a powerful effect on Seattle’s current construction boom.

In a statement, Lehigh Hanson, which owns both Cadman and Lehigh Cement, says, “Proposals put forth by the union continue to be unrealistic and not economically sustainable.”

“We wanted to get language into the contracts about breaks. Breaks are required by state law, and that was rejected without explanation. If you can’t even get someone to comply with state law, you’ve got a problem,” Local 174 spokesperson Jamie Fleming said.

“The picket signs are made … at this point, it’s close,” she added.

Calls to several of the other concrete employers were not immediately returned.