King County workers to rally at Marymoor Park

“Working hard for ‘your Big Back Yard’ because the County won’t pay me enough to afford my own”

SEATTLE, WA (July 10, 2026) — Summers in the Seattle-area are magic; long evenings to relax in the region’s many parks, bike rides to the shore for 9pm sunsets, outdoor concerts and theater shows for the whole family. But not so magical? The fact that many of the workers who keep King County running still don’t have a contract. That’s because the King County Office of Labor Relations continues to reject workers’ reasonable bargaining proposals, per SEIU Local 925, the workers’ union.

More than a year into bargaining with no deal in sight, King County Parks, Wastewater, Public Defense workers and labor siblings will gather for a Solidarity Rally at Marymoor Park on Friday, July 10 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., picketing as doors open for the evening’s concert.

“3,000+ tickets sold is 3,000+ chances to tell the County we’re not backing down,” wrote the workers in a social media post announcing the rally.

King County Parks workers at a county council meeting. “Working hard for ‘your Big Back Yard because the County won’t pay me enough to afford my own,” proclaims the sweatshirt of one worker, referencing a KC Parks slogan. Photo: SEIU 925

Workers are holding the line for fair wages, as well as maintenance of benefits, reasonable case loads, and sustainable staffing. Pay that has fallen behind the area’s cost of living is a major concern; for example, Parks workers haven’t had a meaningful raise since 2009. For 17 years, they’ve received only cost of living adjustments while inflation has risen more than 52%. Despite public statements from County officials calling on private companies in the Puget Sound to pay living wages, the County’s Office of Labor Relations has so far refused to come to an agreement for the County’s own workers.

“Sitting at the bargaining table with representatives from the County, it certainly doesn’t feel like they want to engage in any real bargaining,” said Ryan Porter, SEIU 925 King County Parks Chapter President.

So while the County continues to stonewall, workers are taking their contract fight to the taxpayers who enjoy the fruits of workers’ labor every day, making sure residents know that the region’s summer magic doesn’t just happen; it’s union made.

TAKE A STAND: Join King County workers for a rally at Marymoor Park on Friday, July 10 at 4:00 p.m. to show your support for their fight for a fair contract.