(Image: Volunteer Park Trust)

The labor dispute between union concrete workers and Seattle area contractors continues but negotiations have helped at least one of the city’s largest projects move forward as the strike issues are worked out. Meanwhile, many public and private project across the city and Capitol Hill remain on hold while the sides work out.

Teamsters Local 174 is demanding wage hikes to buffer inflation and healthcare benefits for retired workers.

An agreement this week allowed concrete deliveries to resume as repairs on the West Seattle Bridge originally set to be completed in mid-2022 continue.

The breakthrough won’t help stymied projects around Capitol Hill where the strike has delayed construction, and slowed street projects including paving repair in Volunteer Park, the installation of new traffic cameras near Garfield High School, some work along the Madison Bus Rapid Transit line, and work on the Melrose Promenade project to improve the street, biking, and walking experience along Melrose Ave.

The last stages of construction on the new $3 million amphitheater in Volunteer Park have also been delayed. The venue is still hoped to debut in time for summer.

“The wooden forms for the planters are installed and ready for the final concrete pours, but will remain empty until the strike is resolved,” the Volunteer Park Trust reports.

Meanwhile, new legislation being considered by the King County Council would study the feasibility of the county or its cities developing public concrete manufacturing facilities using union labor.

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