July 13, 2016

Glass goes up on The Mark tower

Photo from Daniels Real Estate/Ox Bluc [enlarge]

The Mark is on schedule to finish construction in late spring of 2017.

Photo by Benjamin Minnick [enlarge]

Curtainwall is being installed on the lower levels of The Mark.

Some big projects in downtown Seattle appear to have dodged a strike by about 700 members of the Glaziers, Architectural Metal and Glassworkers Local 188.

One of them is Kevin Daniels' office and hotel tower at Fifth and Columbia called The Mark.

The workers went on strike July 1, according to the Western Washington Glass Contractors Multi-Employer Group, which is negotiating with the union.

In a July 6 news release, the contractors' group said the parties have been bargaining since May and have met seven times, including a full day session with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service on June 29. The release said union leaders recommended a raise of $8.50 per hour in wages and benefits over four years, but the rank-and-file voted that down.

A union representative didn't return a phone call yesterday seeking comment.

A project manager from JTM Construction, which is building The Mark, said it hasn't been affected by the strike because the curtainwall subcontractor, Harmon, has an international agreement that allows it to continue work.

The Mark is on schedule to finish construction in late spring of 2017.

Ken MacDonald, owner and president of Kenco Construction, said union wages and contracts have been consistent and predictable over the years in the Seattle area, and it's unusual for the union to be on strike this long.

Kenco is a union contractor based in Seattle that specializes in curtainwall, glazing, metal panels and other exterior building elements. It has a minor role on Daniels' project, where it is installing a few canopies, some custom curtainwall and entries.

MacDonald said his company draws from three trade unions and hasn't been affected by the strike.

Kenco is also working on 200 Occidental, which is being developed by Greg Smith for Weyerhaeuser's new headquarters. MacDonald said the exterior envelop for 200 Occidental is finished.

A regularly scheduled meeting of union members will be held tonight.