June 12, 2023

Corliss drivers are members of Teamsters Local 174, whose 4.5-month industry-wide concrete strike ended just over a year ago

More than seven months after voting to organize with Teamsters Local 174, a group of over 50 concrete mixer drivers at Corliss Resources have now voted to authorize a strike against their employer. The strike vote is in response to the glacially slow pace of negotiations for a first contract, with Corliss management only agreeing to meet with the union six times over the past seven months. There are still countless issues left open in the negotiations, including many of the issues that are most critical to the drivers – issues like cameras, discipline, pay rates, healthcare, and retirement. As of now, only two additional dates are scheduled for Corliss to meet with the Teamsters Local 174 bargaining team.

“It is obvious to us that Corliss management is giving the absolute bare minimum effort to negotiate a contract with their employees, and this strike vote is meant to show them they need to step it up big time if they want to avoid a work stoppage,” said Teamsters Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks. “These workers have lived long enough without a contract, and their patience has run out. It’s time for Corliss to come back to the table with a serious commitment to reaching a deal.”

Negotiations are set to resume Tuesday, June 13.

Founded in 1909, Teamsters Local 174 represents 8,300 working men and women in Seattle and the surrounding areas. “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeamstersLocal174.