Resolution on Low-carbon Concrete Pilot Projects in Seattle District 5

February 19, 2025

WHEREAS, MLK Labor has been a national leader in developing new strategies to create clean energy jobs that help our communities make the necessary changes to respond to climate change.

WHEREAS, Concrete is one of the primary building materials in modern buildings and it is responsible for 8% of the world’s CO2 emissions. However new low-carbon concrete products are demonstrating that concrete has the potential to be low-carbon, carbon-neutral, or even carbon-negative.

WHEREAS, Seattle is home to several important low-carbon concrete companies that are willing to partner with concrete-sector labor unions to ensure a trained workforce to use their products.

WHEREAS, Concrete startups need real-world pilot projects in non-load bearing applications and the City of Seattle is considering a significant investment in new construction sidewalks in Seattle.

WHEREAS, The City of Seattle Community Workforce Agreement ensures that construction projects are performed with prevailing wages, apprenticeship utilization standards, and priority hire strategies.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, MLK Labor will advocate for the inclusion of low-carbon concrete pilot projects into the sidewalk projects performed under the City’s Community Workforce Agreement in the City of Seattle and advocate for these new construction sidewalk projects to be a high priority to the Mayor, and City Council.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, MLK Labor will also advocate for new construction low-carbon concrete pilot projects to be included in other local government projects within Seattle-King County.