Work on the planned Hotel Indigo at Waterfront Place resumed Friday. (Sue Misao / Herald file)

Work on the planned Hotel Indigo at Waterfront Place resumed Friday. (Sue Misao / Herald file)

Construction strike ends; work resuming on numerous projects

Progress had ground to a halt at sites all over Western Washington, including Snohomish County.

EVERETT — Heavy equipment operators and other construction workers put down their picket signs after union leaders reached a tentative labor agreement with contractors in Western Washington.

Construction at many Snohomish County projects, idled by the labor dispute, is expected to resume next week. Project coordinators around the area were cheered by the deal.

“I’m thrilled that the labor disagreement has been resolved and that the construction of the new Everett Y facility will resume Monday morning,” Scott Washburn, president and CEO of the YMCA of Snohomish County, said Friday.

Work on the new $33 million YMCA facility at 4730 Colby Ave. stalled when the strike began Aug. 21.

The Associated General Contractors of Washington (ACG) said it reached a tentative agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302. The union represents concrete pumpers, pavers, crane operators, pile driver operators and other heavy equipment operators.

“Daren Konopaski, business manager of Local 302, has directed his members to return to work immediately,” ACG said on its website Friday.

Local 302’s website directed members to cease picketing and return to regular work status effective Sept. 7.

Union members will now vote on the tentative agreement. Details about the deal were not immediately available.

The work stoppage slowed or halted progress at apartment high-rises, road improvement projects, school upgrade projects and other construction sites throughout Western Washington and Snohomish County.

Developers and project directors feared the labor dispute might extend into the region’s rainy season, causing further construction delays.

The Everett YMCA construction project, a high school upgrade in Lake Stevens and a long- awaited renovation at the Snohomish County Courthouse were among local projects affected by the strike.

Work on the YMCA project is expected to resume Monday. The 60,000 square-foot facility will include two swimming pools, an indoor track, a full-size gym and a permanent space for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Snohomish County.

“While we are still assessing the strike’s effect on the schedule, we are optimistic that most of the lost time can be made up over the next few months in order for us to still complete and open the new Y in early fall of 2019,” said Washburn, of the YMCA.

Some construction sites reported Friday that workers were already back on the job.

Work on the planned Hotel Indigo at the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place resumed Friday, said Lisa Lefeber, the port’s acting executive director.

A $36 million construction project to make critical upgrades to the port’s South Terminal container dock restarts next week, Lefeber said. “They will be back to work Monday,” Lefeber said.

A construction project at Fisherman’s Harbor also is expected to resume Monday, she said.

Repairs to Paine Field’s main runway, slated to get under way in late August, had to be rescheduled for September and then again for October, Paine Field spokesman Scott North said. The 9,010-foot runway was in need of further repairs after recent maintenance.

Janice Podsada; jpodsada@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3097. Twitter: JanicePods.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

A closing sign hangs above the entrance of the Big Lots at Evergreen and Madison on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Big Lots announces it will shutter Everett and Lynnwood stores

The Marysville store will remain open for now. The retailer reported declining sales in the first quarter of the year.

George Montemor poses for a photo in front of his office in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Despite high mortgage rates, Snohomish County home market still competitive

Snohomish County homes priced from $550K to $850K are pulling in multiple offers and selling quickly.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s robotic team, Jack in the Bot, shake hands at the 2024 Indiana Robotics Invitational.(Henry M. Jackson High School)
Mill Creek robotics team — Jack in the Bot — wins big

Henry M. Jackson High School students took first place at the Indiana Robotic Invitational for the second year in a row.

The computer science and robotics and artificial intelligence department faculty includes (left to right) faculty department head Allison Obourn; Dean Carey Schroyer; Ishaani Priyadarshini; ROBAI department head Sirine Maalej and Charlene Lugli. PHOTO: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College.
Edmonds College to offer 2 new four-year degree programs

The college is accepting applications for bachelor programs in computer science as well as robotics and artificial intelligence.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center executive director Larry Cluphf, Boeing Director of manufacturing and safety Cameron Myers, Edmonds College President Amit Singh, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 2 celebrating the opening of a new fuselage training lab at Paine Field. Credit: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College
‘Magic happens’: Paine Field aerospace center dedicates new hands-on lab

Last month, Edmonds College officials cut the ribbon on a new training lab — a section of a 12-ton Boeing 767 tanker.

Gov. Jay Inslee presents CEO Fredrik Hellstrom with the Swedish flag during a grand opening ceremony for Sweden-based Echandia on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Swedish battery maker opens first U.S. facility in Marysville

Echandia’s marine battery systems power everything from tug boats to passenger and car ferries.

Helion Energy CEO and co-founder David Kirtley talks to Governor Jay Inslee about Trenta, Helion’s 6th fusion prototype, during a tour of their facility on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State grants Everett-based Helion a fusion energy license

The permit allows Helion to use radioactive materials to operate the company’s fusion generator.

People walk past the new J.sweets storefront in Alderwood Mall on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Japanese-style sweets shop to open in Lynnwood

J. Sweets, offering traditional Japanese and western style treats opens, could open by early August at the Alderwood mall.

Diane Symms, right, has been the owner and CEO of Lombardi's Italian Restaurants for more than three decades. Now in her 70s, she's slowly turning the reins over to her daughter, Kerri Lonergan-Dreke.Shot on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 in Everett, Wash. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Lombardi’s Italian Restaurant in Mill Creek to close

Lombardi’s Restaurant Group sold the Mill Creek property currently occupied by the restaurant. The Everett and Bellingham locations remain open.

The Safeway store at 4128 Rucker Ave., on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Mike Henneke / The Herald)
Kroger and Albertsons plan to sell these 19 Snohomish County grocers

On Tuesday, the grocery chains released a list of stores included in a deal to avoid anti-competition concerns amid a planned merger.

Helion Energy CEO and co-founder David Kirtley talks to Governor Jay Inslee about Trenta, Helion's 6th fusion prototype, during a tour of their facility on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Inslee energized from visit to Everett fusion firms

Helion Energy and Zap Energy offered state officials a tour of their plants. Both are on a quest to generate carbon-free electricity from fusion.

Awards honor employers who promote workers with disabilities

Nominations are due July 31 for the awards from the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.