January 29, 2021
Construction drivers will be covered under industry-leading AGC Agreement
After years living in a quasi-union middle ground, workers at KLB Construction will finally all be able to enjoy the full benefits of being members of Teamsters Local 174 after voting unanimously to ratify their first contract this week. The group of nearly 50 drivers had previously been covered only for work done under Project Labor Agreements, but now all KLB drivers will be covered under the Associated General Contractors (AGC) Agreement for all the work they perform. The AGC Agreement is a regional contract covering Teamster construction industry workers throughout the Puget Sound area, and being covered under it is a major victory that will improve the lives of our newest members working at KLB.
In addition to streamlining and equalizing pay and benefit packages for every KLB employee regardless of which job they happen to be working on that day, the AGC contract provides other significant benefits to these new Teamsters. Among the numerous quality of life enhancements these employees will now enjoy is the addition of Date-of-Hire language in their contract, which allows workers to have a say on where they want to be dispatched based on how long they have worked for KLB. The workers also gain the protections of a Union contract in regards to fair discipline, a grievance process, and countless other rules that will improve their lives on the job.
“This Agreement is a real game-changer for workers at KLB, and we are proud of these drivers for taking this step to improve their lives,” said Teamsters Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks. “This new contract doesn’t just benefit the drivers at KLB – it also helps the Company by streamlining their practices and making it a more appealing place to work. We are certain other workers in this industry will see what KLB drivers have accomplished and consider taking the same step themselves!”
Founded in 1909, Teamsters Local 174 represents 8,600 working men and women in Seattle and the surrounding areas. “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeamstersLocal174.