Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6- Northwest Seattle) is happy to announce that The Seattle City Council approved new labor contracts today impacting more than 7,000 City workers represented by 16 unions. The new contract is the result of more than a year of good faith bargaining between the City and unions.

“Seattle is one of the only municipalities that has a county seat, port, and state institution. Our city employees are easily able to move to working for King County, The Port of Seattle, or the University of Washington if we do not compensate our workers fairly,” said Councilmember Strauss, Chair of the Finance, Native Communities, and Tribal Governments Committee.

“When people call 911, or use a park or community center, use a road, turn on the lights or turn on the water, these jobs are done by our City workers who we need to pay fairly so that we keep them working for you.” 

Background on the contract

These City of Seattle workers have been working without a cost-of-living adjustment during generationally-high inflation.

The contracts were negotiated between the City and Coalition of City Unions. Mayor Bruce Harrell announced a tentative agreement last month, which was approved by union membership.

As is standard practice, the Council also approved legislation extending similar wage increases and benefits to non-represented employees as well.