Rich new contract rewards workers while keeping pace with other construction trades

Teamsters working in the construction industry across Western Washington have voted to ratify a strong new three-year Agreement, defeating Employer attempts at weakening the contract and securing strong gains in wages, healthcare, and pension. The AGC Agreement covers hundreds of Teamsters working for a number of different companies at Locals 38, 174, 231, 252, 313, and 589, and overwhelming ratification votes taken this weekend at all the Local Unions demonstrated the strength of the new contract.

“This is a mature contract, so our main priority was to protect what we already have while gaining as much as possible for our members, and we succeeded in that goal,” said Teamsters Joint Council 28 President Rick Hicks. “The Companies did not get any of the takeaways they wanted, and we were able to secure far greater financial gains than they were initially willing to give. This was truly a team effort and it was our members’ passion that propelled us across the finish line. Our members should be proud of what they were able to achieve with this Agreement.”

“We hope that the remaining construction industry Teamster employers will see the writing on the wall – and on the page – and will complete their negotiations with us swiftly so that we can achieve labor peace throughout this industry,” Hicks concluded.