Union strike jeopardizes opening of long-awaited Pasco aquatics center
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Strike by Local 302 threatens delay of Pasco Aquatics Center's June 2026 opening
- AGC labor action disrupts multiple Tri-Cities construction projects, both public and private
- City leaders urge negotiation as contractor availability hampers asphalt and site work
A strike against Associated General Contractors, now entering its third week, could delay the opening of Pasco’s $40 million aquatics center.
The strike by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302 against AGC began Aug 12 and has slowed or idled jobs throughout Eastern Washington.
That includes both public and private construction in the Tri-Cities. Local road projects, several hotels and the Horn Rapids Landfill in Richland have been targeted by picketers. Other sites have gone quiet without explanation.
The Pasco Aquatics Center, under construction at 5204 Road 108 in the Broadmoor area, has seen slowdowns and is at risk of missing its ballyhooed June 1, 2026, opening date.
“It’s going to affect our overall schedule,” said Jake Hartwig of Wenaha Group, which is serving as owner’s representative during the complicated construction project.
Bouten Construction is the general contractor. Hartwig said the strike is affecting work performed by a subcontractor, Goodman & Mehlenbacher Construction Inc. (GAME), which is responsible for site and civil work. Hartwig said crane operators who were lifting wall panels into place are also affected.
Bouten could not be reached by the Herald about the project.
Neither AGC nor IUOE Local 302 have responded to repeated requests for comment since the strike began.
Taxpayer supported project
The Pasco Public Facilities District, a quasi-independent agency connected to the city of Pasco, hired Bouten to build the aquatics-and-event facility. Pasco voters agreed to raise sales tax by two cents for every $10 spent o fund it.
Hartwig said the construction contract includes provisions for delays and the schedule has some leeway. But if the strike lingers beyond the week of Aug. 18, it could jeopardize the schedule.
“It’s happening, unfortunately,” he told the facilities district board during a regular business meeting Aug. 19..
He said the contractor was able to work around the stoppages after the strike began, but a longer strike could lead to missed deadlines.
Matt Watkins, the former Pasco mayor serving as executive director for the facilities district, said he’s hopeful the project will progress and stay on track for the promised opening.
“We’re supportive of the negotiation process and will keep working to complete our long-needed project as close to schedule as possible,” Watkins told the Tri-City Herald.
Impact limited, so far
Fallout from the strike is limited.
Public works officials across the Tri-Cities are watching their projects carefully.
The city of Kennewick said the strike delayed paving for some capital improvements.. The city of Pasco said contractor availability delayed plans to lay asphalt on Broadmoor Boulevard until Aug. 25-27.
The city of Richland said the strike stopped work on a landfill expansion, where Apollo Inc. is the general contractor. The city said the strike hadn’t affected the schedule as of Thursday.
The strike began after IUOE Local 302 members voted on AGC’s second offer in late July. The vote was counted Aug. 11 and, while results were not publicized, the strike began the next day.
Contract talks reportedly began earlier this year and an earlier offer was rejected in June.
IUOE Local 302 serves Washington, Idaho and Alaska. The strike appears to be centered on Section 5 — Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho, according to public social media posts. Media in both Spokane and Walla Walla attributed work stoppages to the strike.
Operating engineers operate heavy equipment such as excavators, cranes and tractors.
The Tri-City Herald has observed picketers at constructions sites for Home2 Suites Hotel in Pasco, the AC Marriott Hotel in Kennewick, the Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco and the Horn Rapids Landfill in Richland.
Earlier this week, Pasco City Councilman Leo Perales called on AGC to meet with Local 302 in a letter on city letterhead shared on social media this week. Perales asked fellow elected leaders to encourage a resolution to avoid impacts on the numerous public works projects.
This story was originally published August 22, 2025 at 5:00 AM.