Commissioner rules that Companies must post signs at their facilities and distribute flyers to customers and guests stating that egress may be impeded by picketing for up to two minutes

March 8, 2022

After additional dangerous incidents of trucks charging though picket lines, and roughing up of picketers, Teamsters Local 174 returned today to King County Superior Court to protect its picketing members and their peaceful picketing and were successful in obtaining additional protection from the Court.

Superior Court Commissioner Mark Hillman had earlier ordered the Companies to ensure safe conditions on the picket lines by tasking them with informing their customers of the picketers’ rights to delay vehicles without being charged while the pickets patrolling was taking place.   Based on the new Teamsters’ evidence that trucks were still speeding through picket lines and placing picketers in great danger, Commissioner Hillman required the Companies to take more steps to ensure that all scab drivers knew of his order and their responsibility to comply with this most basic safety rule. 

He ordered the Companies to post at all their exits large (5’ x 5’) signs, with type that can be read from 20 feet away, notifying drivers that their departure from the facility may be  impeded for up to two minutes. The signs must also notify drivers that they are prohibited by court order from charging through the picket line. To emphasize the importance of safety for patrolling pickets, the Commissioner also ordered the Companies to distribute to their customers and suppliers flyers carrying the same message in bold print.

Commissioner Hillman also rebuffed the Companies’ attempt to use today’s hearing to restrict Teamster Local 174 picketing at the Companies’ job sites, and refused to limit Teamsters’ picketing at job sites in any way.

Commissioner Hillman indicated on the record that actions by the Companies’ customers at job sites that involve physical interventions such as pushing and shoving picketers or spraying them with water are inappropriate. Teamsters Local 174 remains vigilant and may take action to bring those matters before the Court should physical intervention with picketing occur again.  Teamsters are proud to note that the picketers have consistently remained peaceful despite provocation.

“Having failed once again to defeat our right to peacefully picket and to break the determination of our members, the Companies should know they need to turn their attention to collective bargaining and strike a deal that puts our unfair labor practice strikers back on the job,” said Teamsters Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks. “Teamsters stand ready to bargain for a fair contract.”

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.