Construction work on South 223rd Street has significantly slowed down due to a labor strike that began on Tuesday Aug., 21, 2018. Here’s more info sent out by the city Thursday, Aug. 30:
The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local #302 position currently affects work relating to tower cranes and rentals, concrete pumping, earth work, pavers, hoisting, material handling and other work classifications. The labor strike is affecting public and private projects, large and small, region wide in the Pacific Northwest with no current resolution pending, including our project on South 223rd Street. Prior to the strike, the project was on schedule to be completed before Labor Day. Unfortunately that is no longer the case. The City of Des Moines is continuing to work collaboratively with the Contractor to address issues and concerns in the work zone during this construction shutdown. The roadway, currently gravel in most places, is being watered regularly for dust control, and the contractor is also periodically filling potholes. The roadway remains closed to local access only, and motorists are still advised to seek alternative travel routes and avoid South 223rd Street until the work is completed. We will work with the contractor to make sure that the project will be completed as quickly as possible once the labor dispute is resolved.For strike updates, please follow the union daily headlines at www.iuoe302.org.]]>
While the delay may be inconvenient, I hope that IUOE Local #302 is successful in their strike, and negotiations, and have no issue dealing with the inconvenience for as long as it takes. The deck has been stacked too heavily in favor of corporate interests, and hope the union is able to protect the interests of the working person.