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Monday, February 1, 2010

Economy Pike Place Market Strike Averted?

Posted by Jake Blumgart on Mon, Feb 1, 2010 at 5:10 PM

Paul Zilly, a spokesman for Teamsters Local 117, reports that today's five hour mediation session between workers and Pike Place Market Public Development Authority was successful. Strike averted (probably).

The two sides reached a tentative agreement at the mediation that could potentially end negotiations that began sixteen months ago. Spurred by the protracted bargaining process and a number of other grievances (including an unpopular merit-based pay system), union members voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike last Thursday.

It doesn't seem coincidental that after the PDA stalled for 16 months that the group reached an agreement two workdays after the union members threatened to strike; it looks like there's a direct causal relationship.

"Through the strike authorization vote they demonstrated that the issues on the table were very important to them," Zilly said. The negotiating team will recommend the members accept today's agreement when it comes up for a vote on February 10. Zilly claims the potential settlement would resolve most, but not all, of the issues important to the membership. He was unwilling to share the contents of the agreement. The PDA has not returned two calls seeking comment.

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I first read that as "5 hour meditation session" and thought "WOW! Seattle sure is progressive!". Turns out all they did was talk and horse trade. Bah.

Posted by NaFun