Concrete hunt getting harder

Some major King County construction projects, including Sound Transit's light rail, could be delayed if a strike continues against four major concrete, rock and gravel suppliers in King County.

About 100 members of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302 went on strike Tuesday over wages and the ability to honor other unions' picket lines.

The engineers work at Redmond-based Cadman; Seattle-based Glacier Northwest and Salmon Bay Sand & Gravel; and Renton-based Stoneway Concrete.

Members of the Teamsters union are honoring the strike by not crossing picket lines at 12 locations throughout King County.

On Thursday, strikers in West Seattle held up signs and waved to passers-by. Two Teamsters shook hands with the operating engineers as they prepared to make their way to another strike location.

"We'll be with you when it comes time," one striker said.

Teamsters at Cadman continue to work at a Seattle facility that has no operating engineers, but other facilities for the four companies have stopped production.

"All of our ability to supply concrete within King County is down right now," said Ed Owens, senior vice president of Glacier Northwest.

While the suppliers of concrete, rock and gravel are most affected by the strike, some builders may face a slowdown.

"They'll find another way to get it done," said Cristina Gonzalez, a local labor economist. But they'll be losing money, she said.

Sound Transit's light-rail construction in the Rainier Valley is the project most immediately affected. The project requires concrete to restore roads disrupted by the light-rail work there.

Also affected is construction of vertical columns for elevated light-rail tracks in Tukwila and an extension of the transit tunnel in downtown Seattle.

Geoff Patrick, spokesman for Sound Transit, said the agency will monitor the situation closely since it's one of the biggest consumers of concrete in the public sector.

"We hope it will be resolved soon," said Patrick.

Kemper Development, working on its Lincoln Square project in downtown Bellevue, said one of its suppliers is on strike but its project has not been affected.

Construction of the third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will not be affected, but small environmental projects, such as stormwater vaults, may need concrete in the next few days, said Bob Parker, spokesman for the Port of Seattle.

Contract negotiations began in early June, but the union rejected a final offer of a $3.95-an-hour pay increase over the next three years.

"The wage offer, frankly, was an embarrassment," said Allan Darr, business manager of Local 302.

Darr said workers need a pay increase to keep up with the increasing cost of living.

Barry Meade, Cadman's vice president and general manager, said the pay increase was a "very good offer."

He said there were no plans to resume talks.

Bibeka Shrestha: 206-464-2436 or bshrestha@seattletimes.com