CLALLAM COUNTY – As of Tuesday of this week, the Operating Engineers Local 302 union, which represents employees for many local contractors, have rejected a new labor contract and gone on strike.
According to Port Angeles City Engineer Teresa Reed-Jennings, the strike has had an immediate impact on three street projects. Work on 10TH Street and Craig Avenue has been halted, but both are open to traffic at reduced speeds. Work on Whidby Avenue is in the process of being made safe for driving before work there is also halted.
Reed-Jennings says the Eighth Street Bridge work will continue until further notice.
In Sequim, Engineer Matt Klontz says their project came in just under the wire.
As for Clallam County, there are three projects affected by the strike. The West Bluff Drive culvert job and a guardrail replacement contract have both shut down. A third project, the Pierce Road/Marsden Road culvert job, which is not yet underway, could be problematic. County Engineer Ross Tyler explains:
Drivers are reminded to use caution when driving through work zones, and observe the posted speed limit of 20 mph.