SPOKANE, Wash. — Union and non-union contractors across Spokane are voicing strong opposition to a proposed ordinance that would mandate a Community Workforce Agreement (CWA) on some public works projects.
The ordinance was introduced in June by Spokane City Councilmembers Paul Dillon and Lili Navarrete. They said the “public dollars for public benefit ordinance” aims to support long-term labor stability and focus on building up the local workforce for construction jobs by prioritizing hiring Spokane workers for city contracts.
However, the Inland Northwest Associated General Contractors (AGC) said on Monday that the ordinance would instead increase project costs, strain city staffing resources, and disrupt employment for hundreds of local construction workers…