Members of the Northwest Carpenters Union, representing some 12,000 workers in Western and Central WA, have been voting since last Thursday, Oct. 7, on whether to accept the fifth tentative agreement with the AGC of Washington.
The results of the vote are in. 5,318 members cast their vote; 53.65% voted to accept the contract; while 46.35% voted no.
“Union carpenters have voted to approve a new contract with the AGC of Washington. Our members fought hard for these important improvements in the contract, putting their livelihoods and their bodies on the picket line for 13 days of striking at dozens of job sites across Western Washington,” Said union spokesperson Evelyn Shapiro. “When we stand together, whether it’s striking or voting on a contract, our union is stronger. I want to recognize the hard work of our bargaining committee members, and every rank and file carpenter who stood on picket lines or supported the strike with pay assessments. Union carpenters build everything you see, and we work hard to earn living wages to support our families, and benefits that will be there for us when our backs and our knees give out.”
Contract Details:
-Three-year Contract
-Total Increase to Wages and Benefits: $10.02 (15.43% increase)
-Existing parking zone in Seattle expanded to include First Hill and increased to $1.50 per hour; First-ever parking zone established in Bellevue starting June 2022 at $1.50 per hour
-Retroactive wages for members working on certain jobs to June 1, 2021.