Resolution on Garden Cycles Bargaining

August 17, 2022

WHEREAS, on December 30th, 2021, the employees of Seattle-based Garden Cycles LLC voted unanimously in favor of joining LiUNA Local 242.

WHEREAS, Garden Cycles has failed to bargain in good faith with LiUNA Local 242 members.

WHEREAS, Garden Cycles is an independently owned, ecological restoration company located in Seattle, Washington, specializing in restoring public greenspace ecosystems primarily through contracting work with King County and Seattle Parks and Recreation.

WHEREAS, funding has not kept up with rapid growth in the ecological restoration industry. The severely limited dollars available mean that efforts to grow green stewardship programs leave everyone fighting for crumbs.

WHEREAS, City and County governments have left bargaining unit positions unfilled and increased the use of outside contractors for this vital public work.

WHEREAS, Garden Cycles employees have organized to fight poor wages, a lack of benefits, and industry safety standards, as well as misclassification of their job title as landscape maintenance workers.

WHEREAS, in the context of climate change, there is an urgency to support environmental work that sets a good precedent for future programs. A strong union contract ensures standards for both workers and the ecological restoration industry.

WHEREAS, all workers in this vital industry should be fairly compensated and empowered by environmentally-minded contractors to create climate justice in Seattle and King County.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, MLK Labor is to send a letter to the employer, Garden Cycles, in support of its Urban Forester workers and Laborers Local 242, urging them to come to the bargaining table to negotiate in good faith and come to an agreement with the union