Teamsters Local 174 Director of Communications and Research Jamie Fleming joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a strike by 330 Seattle concrete mixer drivers, which has entered its fourth month.
The strike began on Dec. 3, 2021 after management failed to bargain in good faith, Fleming said. Workers are picketing at 12 different locations against six different companies including Gary Merlino Construction, Stoneway Concrete, Cadman, CalPortland, Salmon Bay Sand & Gravel and Lehigh Cement.
Since the beginning of the strike, workers and management have met twice for remediation. At the first session, Fleming noted management failed to bring a new proposal. During the second session, management offered only a $0.30 per hour raise over three years. This did not even touch the increased cost of living facing the workers, who are building a city they cannot afford to live in, she added.
While the companies have brought in replacement workers, the highly skilled concrete mixer drivers are difficult to replace, Fleming said. She is hopeful the employers will soon run out of options and return to the bargaining table.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about the strike: