SEATTLE — Friday marks eight days since the start of a massive worker strike in Washington.
Thousands of carpenters are no longer working on major projects as they push for better pay.
But not everyone is following union leadership. Friday’s official picket lines have been called off.
Northwest Carpenters Union leaders said there have been near-physical altercations, threats of violence, illegal picketing activity and harassment of union members walking on sanctioned picket lines.
The union sent out a letter saying that a small, unsanctioned group of roaming protesters, that included both union and non-union members, have been causing problems.
There have also been threats of legal action from employers regarding wildcat strikes, which leave the union open to liability for illegal picket actions.
“Our priority is protecting the physical safety of our picketing members, who are reporting real and increasing threats of personal violence and property destruction from those participating in unsanctioned protests,” NWCU executive secretary-treasurer Evelyn Shapiro said in a statement.
The union said it does not support the unsanctioned protests but does support the general goal of a strike to get carpenters better compensation.
Shapiro said carpenters are still on strike even though there’s no sanctioned picketing Friday morning.
Union leaders said they’re going to decide on Sunday where they may be picketing on Monday.