County leaders move to explore publicly-manufactured concrete amid workers strike

The concrete workers strike has stopped projects across the region for months.

File Photo

File Photo

With countless public and private projects halted in communities all across the county due to a concrete workers strike, county leaders have passed a motion that requests the county executive to assess the feasibility of implementing a public source of concrete for the county’s projects.

The motion, sponsored by King County councilmembers, Girmay Zahilay, Sarah Perry, Claudia Balducci and Jeanne Kohl-Welles, was passed unanimously by the council on March 22 as the concrete workers strike continues to be an obstacle to construction projects around the county as its duration spans four months.

The language of the motion mentioned the impact that the concrete workers strike has had on several public infrastructure and facilities projects including: the Sound Transit light rail expansion, the West Seattle bridge reopening, the Washington State Convention Center expansion, University of Washington’s Behavioral Health Hospital, the expansion of Harborview Medical Center, and others.

The motion also mentioned the impact that the strike is having on the private sector including vital housing projects being halted amid a housing shortage crisis and the thousands of construction worker layoffs that are occurring as the economy recovers from the pandemic.

“Without a functioning concrete industry, we won’t have the foundation to build homes, public transit, or healthcare facilities. Indeed, countless projects have already stalled,” said Zahilay in a statement regarding the passage of the motion. “This could be a matter of life and death for concrete workers and also for many others in our region.”

The motion requests that the King County Executive branch includes public stakeholders as they research the feasibility of setting up a program for King County to publicly manufacture its own concrete for projects. The motion directs that the cost and revenue factors be determined, that possible locations for facilities are identified and that the executive reports its findings by Dec. 1, 2022

“A publicly-owned source of concrete would shape a new reality where a few corporations don’t decide our fates,” Zahilay’s statement said about the need for a publicly-owned source of concrete for projects across the county.




Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Kent-based UTOPIA Washington partners with Seattle nonprofit

HealthierHere announces 4 new partnerships to help residents get essential health and social services

t
King County buys building for new Kent animal shelter

Plans to close current site in Kent and move 2 miles north in 2027 at cost of $19.5 million

Courtesy Photo, Kent Cornucopia Days
Street list closure for Kent Cornucopia Days

Downtown streets to close Thursday evening, July 10 through Sunday night, July 13

COURTESY PHOTO, ShoWare Center
The city-owned accesso ShoWare Center in Kent continues to lose money, including about $2.5 million over the last three years.
City of Kent-owned ShoWare Center loses $1 million in 2024

Record-high operating loss since arena opened in 2009; city covers losses from its general fund

Kent Police officers examine a black 2013 Chevrolet Camaro after it crashed July 7 into a day care facility along East Smith Street. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Man, 42, could face vehicular assault charge in Kent crash

Federal Way man driving westbound down Smith hill when Chevy Camaro crashed into building

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Kent Police Blotter: June 23 to July 5

Incidents include construction site burglary, cable wire theft, rock thrower

t
City of Kent receives two state grants for park projects

Awards of $939,600 and $500,000 from Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program

t
Two people in car injured in Kent after crash into building

Incident at about 1:38 a.m. Monday, July 7 at day care facility along East Smith Street

t
Kent once again a Sister City with El Grullo, Mexico

Both cities reaffirm their commitment to strengthening partnership at Kent City Hall gathering

(File photo)
Fourth of July weekend weather in King County

Expect mostly sunny and warm weather for the Fourth of July weekend… Continue reading

t
Kent man, 22, charged in May 27 Auburn shooting

Documents allege that the suspect, along with others, ambushed Keivon Bias, 21.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Christopher Gadd’s mother Gillian Gadd, left, comforts his wife Cammryn Gadd during the sentencing hearing at the Snohomish County Courthouse for Raul Benitez Santana on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Man sentenced for death of Washington State Patrol trooper

Will serve more than 10 years for vehicular homicide for death of Christopher Gadd, a Kentlake High graduate