The Fall 2022 Loadline is hitting mailboxes now! Read Business Manager Daren Konopaski’s message with the latest highlights and learn more about good news announcements like how the Washington State Supreme Court ruled in Local 302’s favor on a prevailing wage dispute, working dues are reduced beginning January 1, 2023, and more. You can also find the new edition here.
Are you a member in good standing who didn’t receive a hard copy of the Loadline in the mail? Call our office to ensure we have your latest address on file at: 425-806-0302.
Local 302 Members: Your voice and your vote matter. General Election ballots are due November 8, 2022.
Local 302’s endorsements represent candidates who would help our members secure work and maintain their union rights and privileges. Read our endorsements for Washington, Idaho, and Alaska here.
On October 13, 2022, after an exhaustive court battle initiated by various employer associations, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled in IUOE Local 302's favor on the appropriate process for setting state prevailing wages.
This legal dispute was based on legislation that Local 302 helped enact which set the prevailing wage at the highest collective bargaining agreement rate in a county, rather than using the antiquated wage rate survey process.
The Associated General Contractors and the Associated Builders and Contractors filed a lawsuit to undo this law change that we fought hard to achieve. The employer associations failed in their effort to undermine fair prevailing wages for union workers.
Local 302 was fully engaged throughout the process and supported the cause by filing an amicus brief (friend of the court) in support of the law. We are thankful that our engagement and efforts helped to protect this law, which is an extreme benefit to our members.
Calling Local 302 members in good standing: We’ve got a table with 5 spots to fill, first come first serve, at the Washington Women in Trades Dream Big Dinner on Saturday, Nov. 5!
Email mainoffice@iuoe302.org if you’re interested in attending.
You must be a Local 302 member in good standing, and as this opportunity is first come first these spots may go quickly. However, additional tickets are available for purchase here: www.wawomenintrades.com/dream-big-dinner
Trenching is a critical part of any construction project.
As with anything in the construction industry, trenching can be dangerous. Unfortunately, far too many workers continue to be injured or killed during excavation work.
Trench collapses, or cave-ins, are more likely than other excavation-related incidents to result in worker fatalities. It only takes seconds to become buried in thousands of pounds of soil.
That’s why it’s important to practice proper trenching practices to improve worksite safety.
For nearly 33 years, the Seattle Convention Center has been the Northwest’s premier meetings and events facility. Each year the center welcomes visitors from around the globe.
No event would be a success without our stationary operators who maintain this 1.5 million square foot facility’s systems.
From HVAC for cooling and heating, to plumbing, down to fixing kitchen equipment, our operators work behind the scenes to ensure a great experience for guests.
Congratulations to all the workers at Virginia Transformer in Pocatello, Idaho who voted Union Yes! in a National Labor Relations Board election held on September 29, 2022.
The year-long campaign in the 182-person bargaining unit concluded with the employees choosing convincingly to be represented by Local 302. Welcome aboard!
We here at Local 302 were deeply saddened to hear of the untimely loss of Brother Eric Snell. Eric was a Local 302 member for 31 years. Many knew of him through his years owning and operating Snell Crane Service, located in Olympia, WA. An obituary was published in the Olympian Newspaper which can be read in full here. We send our condolences to his wife Carrie, children, grandchildren, and all family members.
A memorial service will be held on October 8, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. at the Sam Benn gymnasium at Aberdeen High School. A reception will follow at the D & R Event Center downtown. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Central Park Fire Department, 6317 Olympia Hwy, Aberdeen Washington, 98520.
