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January 22, 2018

Labor unions merge, open new hall

By JOURNAL STAFF

Photo from Local 242 [enlarge]
The new union hall has space for the Northwest Laborers’ Training Program.

Demand for local construction laborers has been strong due to big projects such as the Seattle waterfront tunnel, new Amazon and Microsoft buildings, and an expanding Sound Transit light rail system.

To meet this demand for skilled workers, local labor unions 242 and 440 have merged to create a “new labor powerhouse” in King County. Both unions covered the county in the building and heavy-highway industries. They now operate under the Local 242 moniker with 5,000 members.

The unions say the merger allows them to provide more work for members, offer more skilled laborers to signatory contractors, and create more opportunities for apprenticeship and training.

The combined unions on Friday dedicated a new hall five miles south of Sea-Tac Airport, at 22323 Pacific Highway S. in Des Moines. They occupy all 21,000 square feet of the renovated three-story building. Soon, the Northwest Laborers' Training Program will move into the building.

Local 242 bought the building last April, and some of its members remodeled it. Foushee & Associates was the general contractor.

Local 242 moved after 75 years at the Seattle Labor Temple in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood. Local 440 was located at 13th and Jefferson, near Seattle University.




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