King Co. strengthens labor standards

Washington’s largest county is doubling down on commitments to labor, equity, and environmental standards in sharp contrast to an anti-worker federal administration

SEATTLE, WA (May 9, 2025) — Led by Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, the King County Council passed into law on Tuesday two pieces of legislation to strengthen labor standards and give due consideration to equity and environmental stewardship in awarding contracts.

In a press release, Mosqueda said these policies “advance the County’s commitment to contracting with those who adhere to high labor standards, support small businesses, promote women- and minority-owned businesses, and ensure that no county funds are being used to enforce immigration law.”

The legislation was cosponsored by Councilmembers Rod Dembowski, Jorge L. Barón, and De’Sean Quinn, and supported in in committee by Council Chair Girmay Zahilay and Councilmember Claudia Balducci.

Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda speaks to media about the new legislation. Photo: MLK Labor

One of the policies, Responsible Contracting for Services, Ord. 2025-0093, requires the County to use a set of criteria for evaluating service contract bids to ensure contracts don’t just go to the lowest bidder, but instead to the most responsible. It builds on existing standards, and gives “consideration to contractors that invest in workers and safe working conditions, support small women- and minority-owned businesses, aid climate justice and more,” per Mosqueda’s office.

It’s a major step forward for service workers who’ve made the brave choice to unionize and advocate for their worth.

“Many of our members who work as janitors and security guards are immigrants and right now there is a sense of fear in our country for many of them,” said Zenia Javalera, President of SEIU Local 6. “Despite that fear, they’ve organized and stood up to fight for and win things like healthcare for their families and decent retirements. Our union is incredibly proud to know that when the county is putting out bids for services, our union employers won’t be at a disadvantage.”

The second piece of legislation, Community Workforce Agreements (CWAs) for Tenant Improvements on County-Owned Land, Ord. 2025-0092, requires major construction — defined as projects over five billion — on County-owned leased land to be covered by CWAs, which boost apprenticeship utilization thus providing a pathway into union, family-wage jobs for community members.

The legislation was roundly applauded by local labor leaders.

“This commonsense legislation expanding the use of CWAs on these large-scale projects closes a loophole that was disappointing to see when we first discovered it,” said Billy Hetherington, Political Director at LiUNA Local 242. “Thank you to Councilmember Mosqueda and everyone on council who stood with working people to close this and expand access to more opportunity for our working people, especially in the trades.”

“This is a win-win for the strength and resilience of our local economy and our values as a region,” said Mosqueda after passage. “Thank you to the Executive for feedback and support, to the co-sponsors of this legislation, and to the labor and diverse small business communities for calling for and shaping these policies.”