Striking concrete workers hold rally in Seattle

Striking concrete workers held a large protest outside the Japanese consulate in Seattle on Thursday, where teamsters are demanding foreign intervention.

Much of the strike involves a company named CalPortland, which is owned by a Japanese company, Taiheiyo Cement.

Teamsters gathered at the Japanese consulate on Thursday to up the pressure against them.

The strike has been getting international attention, especially as the striking teamsters turn their focus to the Japanese business.

The latest mediation with CalPortland took 13 and a half hours and ended with “a 15% offer,” which a representative called “nothing more than a slap in the face.”

Strikers said the strike is much more than a story about business, but it’s affecting their livelihoods.

Four other concrete companies that have been impacted by the strike issued a response, saying workers were offered an 18% increase in wages over a three-year period, and it was rejected by the union.

Striking workers insist they deserve better.

The strike has now lasted more than three months, impacting projects such as the West Seattle Bridge.

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