Resolution on In Support of PROTEC17 and ATU 587 King County Transit and Metro Workers

February 16, 2023

WHEREAS, PROTEC17 members working for King County Metro Transit as Chiefs and Superintendents began negotiations with King County in February 2021 and have not yet reached an agreement with King County.

WHEREAS, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 has been negotiating with King County for over six months and has not received fair responses to their proposals.

WHEREAS, PROTEC17 and ATU 587 have joined efforts to ensure each reaches a fair agreement. 

WHEREAS, King County Transit has been recognized as “The Best Large Transit System in North America” by the nation’s foremost transit association due to the exceptional work of the PROTEC17 and ATU Local 587 members.

WHEREAS, most PROTEC17 and ATU 587 members worked tirelessly and in person throughout the pandemic while most upper management declared it too dangerous for them to go to work. 

WHEREAS, King County touts itself as a labor-friendly employer yet refuses to offer fair contract terms to thousands of Transit workers. 

WHEREAS, King County continues to insist on takeaways that erode existing union rights, rejects efforts to address union members’ legitimate workplace concerns, and refuses any wage proposal that accounts for the value members bring to the transit system and the effect of inflation on workers’ standard of living.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Martin Luther King Jr. County Labor Council and its affiliate members will support these Unions’ efforts to achieve a fair contract.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Martin Luther King Jr. County Labor Council will send a letter of such support to King County Executive Dow Constantine, and Members of the King County Council and take other steps as necessary and appropriate to ensure these union members achieve a fair agreement.