August 20, 2018

Agreement makes major progress in addressing the impact of wage freezes during Great Recession

Spirits were high at the Local 174 Union Hall on Saturday morning as a group of drivers, pullers, and boom truck operators working for BMC East ratified a strong new three-year agreement. The new deal covers roughly 60 workers, and reflects robust growth in an industry that spent many years struggling.

In addition to strong wages increases, the new agreement also includes full maintenance of benefits on Teamster healthcare, pension increases, catch-up raises for the pullers job classification, and an extra week of vacation for employees with over 20 years of service.

“We know that we work in a cyclical industry, and sometimes that means taking the bad with the good,” said BMC Teamster and bargaining committee member Oscar Chavez. “Right now business is booming, and this contract reflects that big time.”

BMC faces stiff competition in hiring, making it a challenge to find employees with the skills to do the job. The new agreement is expected to help with recruitment and retention, which will benefit the Company and the Teamsters alike.

“These BMC workers hung tough through the hard times, and their reward is an excellent contract that puts them right back on track to a great future,” said Teamsters Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks. “The building materials and construction industry has been going through an unprecedented boom, and BMC has made significant gains. Our members deserve to share in those gains, and with this agreement, they absolutely will.”

Founded in 1909, Teamsters Local 174 represents 7,200 working men and women in the Seattle area. “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeamstersLocal174.