Members of our Coalition of Unions at the City of Seattle line up in council chambers in a show of unity for coalition members. 

Our coalition of unions for the City of Seattle met at Seattle City Hall on Thursday to begin the process of negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement for 2019-2021 for Local 117 members covered under our Joint Crafts Council agreement.

In this preliminary meeting, we established ground rules and set precedents on how to organize the negotiations. The day was also marked by a solidarity action in support of a number of unions in the coalition. Our negotiations team unanimously elected to use caucus time to fill council chambers as a show of unity.

We expect to begin exchanging proposals with the City in our first official bargaining session on October 3. Negotiations are scheduled to be held every other Wednesday thereafter.

Ultimately our goal in these negotiations is to make improvements to the contract that will impact the largest number of coalition members on the highest priority items that were identified in contract surveys and at demands meetings.

Teamsters Local 117 is one of approximately twenty unions in the Coalition. Representing you at the bargaining table will be Local 117 Union Representatives Taylor House and Pat Silvernale together with Shop Stewards Monica Haugen of Seattle Parks and Recreation and Kyle Christianson of Seattle City Light.

We will have additional updates for you as negotiations progress. Please check your email and if you have questions, talk to your Shop Steward or Union Representative.